CNN PHILIPPINES — The Philippine government is ready to start its COVID-19 vaccination drive on February 15, Malacañang bared on Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a briefing the government can start the deployment of the initial doses of vaccines by next week.
“Ilang tulog na lang at darating na ang unang batch ng ating bakuna…Handang handa po ang ating gobyerno para magsimula ang ating vaccination drive nitong ika-15 ng Pebrero,” Roque said.
He clarified that the target date for inoculation will still depend on the arrival of the vaccines from the COVAX facility, a global platform led by the World Health Organization that aims to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines. COVAX already conveyed that the arrival is slated for the middle of the month, Roque said.
“The COVAX communication says it will be mid-February. I think this week, COVAX will communicate to tell us exactly when,” he said.
