Duque Admits PH May Not Achieve the COVID-19 “Herd Immunity” this 2021

DOH Sec. Duque Speaks on PH’s Goal for Herd Immunity Against COVID-19

DUQUE – Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III admitted that the Philippines may not achieve the COVID-19 “herd immunity” this 2021.

The cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines had a surge again surpassing the 1-million mark now. For weeks now, the country is recording at least 7,000 new cases of the disease daily.

The national government extended the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in the whole Metro Manila. Everyone is reminded to stay at home if not for very essential purposes. Local government units (LGUs) are also imposing certain restrictions in the pursuit to curb the spread of the disease.

Currently, PH is in the process of vaccinating the people to achieve the herd immunity against the COVID-19. However, according to DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III, it may not be achieved this year 2021.

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DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III
Photo: PhilStar

Based on a report on ABS-CBN, the DOH Secretary cited that if vaccines won’t arrive on the time they are expected, it is possible that the herd immunity will be achieved in the first quarter of 2022 already.

Duque stressed that there are still a lot of vaccines that will arrive including Pfizer. He cited that it is already May. According to him, it is mainly because the rich countries have the call on the vaccines since they are the manufacturers.

Based on the report, PH vaccine czar Carito Galvez Jr. is confident that the country will achieve the herd immunity by year end. The Sputnik V vaccines from Russia are expected to arrive today.

The said Russian vaccines against COVID-19 will be distributed in the LGUs in Metro Manila. The first vaccines to have arrived in the country were AstraZeneca and China’s Sinovac. The healthcare workers are the top priority in the vaccination ladder.

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