First District Cong. Edgar Chatto asked government to allow the private sector to be part of the Coronavirus disease (Covid) vaccination program in order to achieve herd immunity faster, a report released by the solon’s office says.
Chatto relayed the suggestion to the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) and the House Committee on Health last Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
He pointed out that the present roll out of Covid vaccines may not be adequate to achieve herd immunity since there are a number of variants already circulating.
“Thus, COVID-19 is expected to be endemic. Regular vaccination and booster shots will be needed while waiting for the development of a cure,” he added.
Chatto surmised that now may be the time for the Department of Health (DOH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give formal “authorization to use” on the already proven vaccines considering that the government has already purchased millions of vaccine doses and these vaccines have been proven effective all over the world.
This way, the government will continue with its vaccination program but allow the private sector like pharmaceutical companies and hospitals to be involved directly in the supply chain, Chatto suggested.
Chatto submitted the proposal to IATF through Chief Implementer Sec. Carlito Galvez and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año as well as to the House Committee on Health through Chairperson Cong. Helen Tan.
Año assured Chatto that the matter can be taken up with the IATF. The House Committee on Health through secretary Erwin Lara, on the other hand, said that the Committee can include this in a special meeting/briefing with DOH and FDA.
“We can perhaps include the LGU Leagues,” Lara quipped.
Chatto stressed that this is an important concern and the House Committee can exercise its oversight power for this very urgent matter considering that the country continues to be in a public health emergency.
At present, the vaccination program is implemented by DOH thru LGUs nationwide.