DOH to Lead Government Task Force on Coronavirus Immunization Program

The Department of Health (DOH) has been appointed to head the new government task force that will implement the country’s coronavirus immunization program.

In preparation for the eventual availability of the COVID vaccine, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases formed the Organizational Management Structure of the COVID-19 Immunization Program and directed the Department of Health to immediately convene the working group. .

“The Organizational Management Structure of the COVID-19 Immunization Program will be under the National Task Force Against COVID-19 with the Department of Health (DOH) as the leader,” he said in a statement.

“DOH has been directed to immediately convene the COVID-19 Immunization Management Task Force and establish sub-task forces as needed. The creation of a Task Force is to ensure the successful and efficient deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in the target population, ”he said.

President Duterte recently announced that the planned purchase of a coronavirus vaccine will be made through a government-to-government agreement.

Duterte said he wanted to avoid private traders supposedly to avoid corruption in the procurement of the vaccine.

The government has reserved an initial P2.5 billion for the purchase of the COVID vaccine under the proposed national budget for 2021.

The president had said that he would prioritize the poor, police and soldiers in the free immunization campaign.

With the financing and distribution scheme already in place, the Palace said the government has begun preparations for the eventual import and storage of the coronavirus vaccine. Cold storage facilities will be needed to maintain the effectiveness of the life-saving drugs, Roque said.