Philippines targets workers in next phase of COVID-19 vaccination . - Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - ThePhilippines will launch a vaccination drive for around 35 million peopleworking outside their homes, such as public transport staff, in a bid to curb COVID-19transmission and gradually open up the economy.
The above plan is the next phase of the vaccination rollout that started inMarch, which initially targeted health care workers, senior citizens and peoplewith existing health conditions.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said those eligible to join thenew phase, including workers in the informal sector, will be able toregister from June 9.
The Philippines has so far received more than nine million doses, mostlysupplied by China’s Sinovac Biotech. However, the country is forecast to take along time to reach its goal of inoculating 70 million people this year out of itspopulation of 110 million.
The Southeast Asian country is also lagging some neighbours, with only 4.4million people having received their first dose and more than 1.5 million twoshots so far.
According to Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, expanding thevaccination campaign to more people will help accelerate the reopening of theeconomy.
The Philippines, which is battling one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks inAsia, has reported 1.27 million infections and almost 22,000 deaths./.
VNA
