March 16, 2021

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said he wanted government agencies to bring Covid-19 vaccination to the slum areas, stressing that “mobile” vaccination would provide easy access to poor families who do not have means to travel to hospitals. Duterte said all government agencies could contribute by deploying “traveling units” that will go to slum areas and provide immunization.

“We’re thinking of going mobile, kayo na ang pumunta (you go there) or if you are near the barangay you just wait kasi ang order ko ngayon (because my order now) is for the team to give you the vaccine while traveling. Marami tayong sasakyan (We have lots of vehicles). We will use all government assets,” he said in a pre-recorded public address.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said bringing vaccination to the slums would pose challenges such as lack of manpower to monitor the vaccine’s side effects on recipients. Read More