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| The Philippines has been named an "exemplary country" for its high vaccination rate, according to the vaccine czar. Photo: CAAP Area VIII/Facebook |
The Philippines is being lauded around the world for successfully accelerating vaccine deployment among residents despite supply constraints and vaccine hesitancy, according to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., citing a G20 report.
"Maganda ring balita na iyong G20, ito po 'yung big economies ng 20 countries, they acknowledged po that the Philippines is an example country in the acceleration of vaccine deployment," Galvez said during a meeting on the government's COVID-19 measures with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
"Despite the challenges that we faced, such as a lack of supply in the early stages, we were able to accelerate vaccination," says the author.
Galvez, who is also the chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19, said the international recognition is a source of great pride for the country, especially since the report was based on an evaluation by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
According to the report, the Philippines is a model country not only for reducing vaccine hesitancy, but also for effectively increasing demand for COVID-19 vaccine.
Foreign governments praised the Duterte administration's risk communication and community engagement strategies as well.
The vaccine czar then thanked the local government units (LGUs), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), media groups, and the private sector for working together to achieve the desired goal of immunizing Filipinos against the deadly coronavirus disease.
Galvez also urged the unvaccinated to get the COVID-19 vaccine, noting that getting vaccinated is a deliberate act of protecting not only oneself but also one's family and the entire country.
"Huwag po natin sayangin ang ating magandang nangyayari po natin ngayon dahil kasi ang ano po natin na mababa ang ating mga cases at saka ang ating death level, at tuloy-tuloy po na magkaroon po tayo ng magandang ayuda sa ating eko
"Marami na po tayong nakuha na bakuna at talaga pong nag-donate na mababait na mga countries, huwag po natin sayangin ang ating mga pinaghirapan," he added. (Source: PND)