 Logo of Resbakuna,[a] the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign of the Philippines | |
| Date | March 1, 2021 (2021-03-01) – July 22, 2023 (2023-07-22) |
|---|---|
| Location | Philippines |
| Cause | COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines |
| Target |
|
| Organized by | Department of Health (DOH) |
| Participants | 166,423,405 total doses administered[b] |
| Outcome | 65.16% of the Filipino population has received their first dose of a two-dose vaccine or a single-dose vaccine 67.75% has been fully vaccinated 19.72% has received a booster doses |
| Website | Department of Health |
TheCOVID-19 vaccination program in the Philippines was a massimmunization campaign againstsevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causescoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in response to thepandemic in the country. The vaccination program was initiated by theDuterte administration on March 1, 2021, a day after the arrival of the country's first vaccine doses which were donated by the Chinese government.[2]
TheFood and Drug Administration (FDA) has issuedemergency use authorizations (EUA) to 10COVID-19 vaccines (in chronological order):Pfizer–BioNTech,Oxford–AstraZeneca,Sinovac,Sputnik V,Janssen,Covaxin,Moderna,Sinopharm BIBP,Sputnik Light andNovavax.
As of February 19, 2023, 166,423,405 total vaccine doses have been administered throughout the country, with 73,873,958 being fully vaccinated, 21,500,083 booster doses administered.
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TheCOVID-19 Immunization Program Management Organizational Structure was formed on October 26, 2020, to facilitate the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines, however this was replaced by a vaccine cluster within theInter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) by November 6, 2020.Carlito Galvez Jr. was appointed to lead the cluster[3] under the title of vaccineczar.[4] The Philippine National Vaccination Program and Implementation Plan was also approved by November 6, 2020.[3]
The COVID-19 Immunization Program Management Organizational Structure was formed on October 26 with the intention of it overseeing the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines once these became available. However, by November 6, the vaccine body was abolished and replaced with a vaccine cluster within the National Task Force Against COVID-19 of theInter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). The vaccine cluster is distinct from the national task force's COVID-19 response cluster.[5]
TheFood and Drug Administration (FDA) on their part is the agency tasked to review and approve the use and commercial distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines[6] as well as the issuance of an emergency use authorization for the same.
The national government planned to roll out its vaccination program around February expecting the delivery of Pfizer's vaccines sourced from the COVAX facility and the first batch of Sinovac's vaccines, consisting of 50,000 doses.[7] The delivery of Pfizer's vaccines was delayed due to documentary issues.[8]
The government planned to start a full rollout or mass vaccination for the general populace around late 2021.[9][needs update]
Under normal circumstances, drugs and vaccines are reviewed for approval by theFood and Drug Administration (FDA) under a period of six months. PresidentRodrigo Duterte to fast-track the government's medical response to the pandemic signed an executive order on December 2, 2020, which allowed the FDA to grantemergency-use authorization (EUA) to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.[10] An EUA for a particular vaccine would authorize the government to buy said vaccine and allow to use the same for the vaccination program. An EUA would not authorize the commercial use of such vaccines or consent the use of the vaccine for personal use.[11]
The EUA approval process by the FDA is covered under FDA Circular No. 2020-036.[12][13]
An EUA granted for COVID-19 vaccine or drug remains valid if it fulfills three conditions:[13]
The EUAs validity ends one year from the lifting of the public health emergency status declared in response to the pandemic or one year from the date it was registered if a COVID-19 drug or vaccine gets fully registered with the FDA.[13]
Among the conditions for a vaccine manufacturer to secure an EUA in the Philippines is to obtain prior EUA in its country of origin or other countries with a "mature" regulator.[14] No manufacturer would be allowed to obtain an EUA in the Philippines first. For the purpose of the FDA's EUA approval process, the following foreign regulators are considered as "mature":[13]
The FDA announced that three vaccine manufacturers namely Pfizer–BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac have inquired on the process of obtaining an EUA in the Philippines.[14]
The Philippines' vaccination officially began on March 1, 2021, shortly after the arrival of the first batch of vaccines from Sinovac. Prior to the official roll-out, a dry run was conducted to ensure that the vaccines, especially temperature-sensitive ones, would be rolled-out with minimal problems.[15]
In February 2021, theFood and Drug Association recommended against the usage of Sinovac vaccines for health care workers due to its low efficacy rates in trials on health care workers in other countries. It has recommended its usage instead to the vaccine to the working population and military personnel.[16][17]
TheNational Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) on February 26 has approved the use of the Sinovac vaccine to health care workers.[18] Health care workers are still allowed to not take the vaccine and wait for a more effective vaccine.[19]Philippine General Hospital (PGH) employees demanded for a better vaccine and an increase with their hazard pays.[20]
At a press conference, Presidential SpokespersonHarry Roque stated that health care workers can refuse the Sinovac vaccine and wait for the vaccines from Pfizer–BioNTech, Moderna, and Oxford–AstraZeneca while still being prioritized but other prioritized groups shall only get what is available in their locality.[21]
The rollout for the Philippines' national vaccine program began on March 1, 2021, shortly after the arrival of 600,000 doses of Sinovac's vaccine.[22] Philippine General Hospital director and doctor Gerardo Legaspi officially became the first recipient of a COVID-19 vaccine in the country.[23] The initial batch will cover around 50,000 military personnel and 250,000 health workers.[24] As of March 3, 2021, vaccinations has been limited toMetro Manila and to health workers.[25] However, select government officials were vaccinated in a bid to boost confidence on the vaccine.[26]
On March 6, 2021, Oxford–AstraZeneca, under the COVAX facility, began the rollout. Health workers who refused Sinovac's vaccines were prioritized.[27][28]
In May 2021, the rollout of vaccines from two manufacturers began. The rollout of the Sputnik V vaccines began on May 3 with five cities of Metro Manila; namely Makati, Manila, Taguig, Parañaque, and Muntinlupa.[29] The deployment of Pfizer started on May 12, beginning in two cities in Metro Manila (San Juan and Makati).[30] On June 30, 2021, the Moderna vaccine began its rollout in Metro Manila including San Juan.[31] On July 20, 2021, the Janssen vaccine began being rolled out in Tacloban.[32] On August 12, 2021, Vaccine CzarCarlito Galvez Jr. announced that recipients of the Sputnik V vaccine as their first dose can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine as their second dose provided that the shipment of Sputnik V is delayed due to logistical issues.[33]
Vaccination of minors began in mid-October 2021. At that time, emergency use authorizations for the use of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for minors (ages 12–15 for Pfizer; age 12-17 for Moderna) has been granted.[34]
To hasten the immunization program, the government announced that it was holding "National Vaccination Days" on November 29 until December 1. November 29 and December 1 will be special working days.[35] Initially targeted to immunize 15 million people, it was reduced to 9 million due to logistics issues surrounding the syringes for Pfizer vaccines.[36]
Upon being vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, thelocal government unit (LGU) or recognized private healthcare providers issue a vaccine card that shall act as proof of vaccination. Later on, theDepartment of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in coordination and theDepartment of Health along with theInter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for a centralized registry for COVID-19 vaccinated residents under a common digital vaccine ID that shall feature a unique QR code.[37]
Since September 6, 2021, the VaxCERTPH, the national digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate was launched to serve as the official COVID-19 vaccination certificate for international and domestic travel for fully vaccinated Philippine citizens and residents. The digital certificate is based on the international standards as prescribed byWorld Health Organization (WHO). Vaccination records for the VaxCERTPH certificate are based on the Vaccination Information Management System (VIMS), managed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) based on the uploads by the local government units in the Philippines. In 2022, the VaxCERTPH has since updated vaccination certificates that would include additional booster shots.[38]
At the same time since July 2021, the Bureau of Quarantine in the Philippines has begun issuing a new format of theInternational Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) to fully vaccinated Philippine citizens and residents forinternational travel provided that the COVID-19 vaccine is listed under the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by theWorld Health Organization (WHO).[39]
On July 4, 2021, theInter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has permitted domestic travel within the Philippines for fully vaccinated individuals that have been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine under the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by theWorld Health Organization (WHO) or have been granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) or a compassionate special permit (CSP) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).[40] The same rules applies for fully vaccinated international travelers from countries and territories deemed as "low-risk" and can receive a reduced quarantine period of seven days.[41]
On October 8, 2021, the IATF introduced revised guidelines that fully vaccinated travelers from "low-risk" (green list) and "moderate-risk" (yellow list) jurisdictions can receive a reduced facility-based quarantine up to five days upon presentation of a national digital certificate issued by a foreign government with a reciprocal agreement with the Philippines.[42]
On October 13, 2021, the IATF subsequently permitted the entry of fully vaccinated travelers from "low-risk" (green list) countries and jurisdictions to skip facility-based quarantine provided there is a presentation of negativeRT-PCR test result within 72 hours before departure from their country. This policy was later to the presentation of a negativeRT-PCR test result within 48 hours before departure from their country.[43][44]
The Philippines presently recognizes the vaccination certificates issued by the following countries:Albania,Armenia,Argentina,Azerbaijan,Australia,Austria,Bahrain,Belgium,Brazil,Brunei,Cambodia,Canada,Chile,Colombia,Czech Republic,Denmark,Ecuador,Egypt,Estonia,France,Georgia,Germany,Greece,Hong Kong,India,Indonesia,Iraq,Ireland,Israel,Italy,Japan,Kazakhstan,Kuwait,Macau,Malaysia,Maldives,Malta,Myanmar,Monaco, theNetherlands,New Zealand,Oman,Palau,Papua New Guinea,Peru,Portugal,Qatar,Samoa,Singapore,Slovenia,Spain,Syria,Switzerland,South Korea,Sri Lanka,Thailand,Timor–Leste,Tunisia,Turkey, theUnited Arab Emirates, theUnited Kingdom, theUnited States,Uruguay, andVietnam.[45][46][47][48][49][50]
The Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC), the independent advisory council issued its recommendation for the administering of a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as abooster shot with a priority towards health care workers and other priority groups.[51]
Booster shots were rolled for frontline healthcare workers on November 16, 2021.[52] Similarly, the IATF has approved the administration of booster shots forOverseas Filipino Workers who are set for deployment within four months provided their second dosage was taken six months prior.[53] Senior citizens and immunocompromised persons were rolled out on November 22, 2021. These groups can choose their preferred vaccine brand in comparison to their primary series.[54]
On December 3, 2021, the PhilippineDepartment of Health announces the expansion of the booster shot program stating all adults aged 18 years and above can receive additionalbooster shots at least six months from the primary series or three months after receiving the single-doseJanssen COVID-19 vaccine.[55]
Due to the threat of theSARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, the Department of Health announced on December 22, 2021, the shortening of the interval of the booster doses for all adults aged 18 years and above at three months from their primary series or two months after receiving the single-dose Janssen vaccine.[56]
| Vaccine | Manufacturer | Progress | Doses ordered | Doses arrived(including donations and from COVAX Facility) | Sourced from donations (including pledges and from COVAX Facility) | EUA Approval | Full Approval | Deployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pfizer–BioNTech |   Pfizer andBioNTech | phase III clinical trials | 40 million[57] | 63,730,020 | 23,728,890(COVAX)[58] |  January 14, 2021[59] | No full authorization application submitted | May 12, 2021[60] |
| Oxford–AstraZeneca |   University of Oxford andAstraZeneca | phase III clinical trials | 17 million[57] | 36,969,350 | 15,530,100(COVAX) 6,797,650(donation)[58] | January 28, 2021[61] | No full authorization application submitted | March 6, 2021 |
| Sinovac Coronavac |  Sinovac Biotech | phase III clinical trials | 45 million[62] | 56,030,400 | 4,000,000(donation)[63] | February 22, 2021[64] | No full authorization application submitted | March 1, 2021 |
| Sputnik V |  Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology | phase III clinical trials | 10 million[57] | 10,000,000 | 15,000 | March 19, 2021[65] | No full authorization application submitted | May 3, 2021[29] |
| Covaxin |  Bharat Biotech | phase III clinical trials | 8 million[66] | – | – | April 19, 2021[c][69] | No full authorization application submitted | Pending |
| Janssen |   Janssen | phase III clinical trials | 5 million(COVAX cost-sharing) 6 million(under negotiations)[70] | 12,725,650 | 12,725,650(COVAX)[71] | April 19, 2021[67] | No full authorization application submitted | July 20, 2021 |
| Moderna | Moderna | phase III clinical trials | 20 million[57] | 33,095,100 | 12,945,660(COVAX) 249,600[72] | May 5, 2021[73] | No full authorization application submitted | June 30, 2021[31] |
| Sinopharm BIBP[74] | Sinopharm and Beijing Institute of Biological Products | phase III clinical trials | 10 million (under negotiations) | 1,100,000 | 1,100,000(donation) | June 7, 2021[76] | No full authorization application submitted | August 20, 2021[77] |
| Sinopharm WIBP | Sinopharm and Wuhan Institute of Biological Products | phase III clinical trials | – | – | – | August 19, 2021[78] | No full authorization application submitted | Pending |
| Sputnik Light | Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology | phase III clinical trials | – | 5,000 | 5,000(donation) | August 20, 2021[79] | No full authorization application submitted | November 2021 |
| Covovax | Serum Institute of India andNovavax | phase III clinical trials | 10 million(under negotiations)[57] | – | – | November 17, 2021[80] | No full authorization application submitted | Pending |
| Corbevax | Biological E. Limited | phase III clinical trials | – | – | – | No EUA application submitted | No full authorization application submitted | Pending |
| Arcturus |  Arcturus Therapeutics | phase II clinical trials | – | – | – | No EUA application submitted | No full authorization application submitted | Pending |
| Clover | Clover Biopharmaceuticals | phase III clinical trials | – | – | – | No EUA application submitted | No full authorization application submitted | Pending |
| EuBiologics[81] |  EuBiologics Co | phase I/II clinical trials | – | – | – | No EUA application submitted | No full authorization application submitted | Pending |
The Philippine government has been negotiating with various foreign vaccine manufacturers to secure the country's COVID-19 vaccine supply. These manufacturers includeSinovac Biotech (China),Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (Russia),Moderna (United States), andPfizer (United States).[82][83] The private sector, with government sanction, has secured at least 2.6 million vaccine doses from British-Swedish manufacturerAstraZeneca.[84] The government also has secured 10 million doses from American firmNovavax which would be supplied from theSerum Institute of India.[57]
The government plans to secure 171 million doses from at least seven firms by the end of 2021.[85] The procurement efforts of the national government have been a subject of various controversies.
The national government through theDepartment of Foreign Affairs responding to the request of Germany and the United Kingdom to be exempted from the Philippines' prevailing cap on the deployment of nurses abroad in exchange for vaccines.[86] The United Kingdom declined the offer refusing to link the vaccines to negotiations on the deployment of Filipino health workers to their country.[87] The proposal was also opposed by labor group Migrante International.[88]
The Philippine government is negotiating with four pharmaceutical firms for the supply of COVID-19 booster shots.[89]
Local government units in the Philippines, from individual municipalities and cities and provinces has allocated part of their budgets to procure their own supply of COVID-19 vaccines.[90]
Along with private companies, local governments had to procure vaccines through cooperation with the national government which led to some members of the Congress questioning urging the national government to allow local governments to procure vaccines unilaterally. However, the government pointed out that only national governments could directly procure vaccines through theWorld Health Organization'sCOVAX facility and that third-party private firms and local governments had to sign a tripartite deal with the national government and member vaccine manufacturer.[91]
The first vaccines acquired by the Philippine national government was from Sinovac. The first batch of Sinovac's vaccines consisting of 600,000 doses were received by the Philippines on February 28, 2021, with the country expected to receive a total of 26 million doses.[92] Vaccines sourced through theCOVAX facility is also funded through donations by foreign countries.[93] The IATF-EID approved the Philippines' participation in COVAX on July 24, 2020.[94] The country is the recipient of vaccines from Pfizer–BioNTech and Oxford–AstraZeneca through the platform.[95]
The Philippines also engaged in talks withIsrael to obtain a possible donation of excess vaccines from the Middle Eastern country.[96]
The Philippines has received 1,124,100Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine donations from Japan on July 8.[97]
The Philippines has received about 3,239,400Janssen COVID-19 vaccine donations from the United States on July 16–17 through COVAX.[98][99]
The Philippines has received 415,040 Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses donations from the United Kingdom on August 2.[100]
The Philippines has received 3,000,060Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donations from the United States on August 3 through COVAX.[101]
The Philippines has received 100,000 doses of theSinopharm BIBP vaccine from the United Arab Emirates.[102]
The Philippines has received a donation of about 1,000,000 doses of theSinopharm BIBP vaccine on August 20–21 from China.[103][104]
The Philippines has expressed its intent to get some of Canada's COVID-19 vaccines.[105]
Five local firms are in negotiations with foreign organizations to set up vaccine manufacturing sites in the Philippines as of March 2021. The origin of these foreign organization include China, India, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.[106] South Korean firm EU Biologics has a partnership with Philippine vaccine distributor Glovax Biotech Corp. since 2012. The two companies plan to set-up their own vaccine production hub inClark.[81] Other interested foreign parties include theGamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Russia and a university research unit based in the United States.[106]
Philippine companyUnited Laboratories launched a program known as "Vaccine Self Reliant Philippines" which includes plans to set up a vaccine manufacturing plant by 2023.[107]
The delivery ofPfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines has been subject to delays.[108] Health SecretaryFrancisco Duque has been alleged to have "dropped the ball" on a Pfizer vaccine deal which could have secured 10 million doses by as early as January 2021.[82] On June 19, the Philippine government has signed an agreement for the procurement of 40 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.[109]
The first batch of the Pfizer vaccine, consisting of 193,050 doses through the COVAX facility, arrived on May 10.[110] 2,279,160 additional doses arrived in the country from COVAX's facility on June 10.[111]
The first batch of procured Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, consisting of 562,770 doses, arrived on July 21.[112]
On January 14, the Philippines has secured 17 million doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines from British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.[113]
A shipment of 487,200Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX's facility arrived in the country on March 4, 2021.[114] An additional shipment of 38,400 doses arrived in the country on March 7, totalling a number of 525,600 doses from COVAX's facility.[115] 2 million additional doses arrived in the country from COVAX's facility on May 8.[116][117]
The first batch of procured Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, consisting of 1,150,800 doses, arrived on July 16.[118]
Plans to secure 36 million doses from China's Sinovac have also been subjected to scrutiny in Congress due to its reported efficacy rate. The efficacy rate of the Sinovac vaccine has varied by country; Turkey has reported an efficacy rate of 91%[119] while Brazil has reported an efficacy rate of 78%.[120] The Department of Health said that Sinovac's vaccine satisfy the World Health Organization standards of at least 50 percent efficacy rate while the FDA pointed out that Sinovac is yet to publish an official and published scientific report on their vaccines efficacy rate and that the clinical trial for the vaccine is conducted in different countries and the efficacy rate per country will vary.[84][121][122]Following the approval foremergency use authorization on February 22, the first batch ofSinovac vaccines, consisting of 600,000 doses, from China's donation to the country arrived on February 28.
The first batch of procured vaccines by the government reached the Philippines on March 29 came from Sinovac with previous received vaccines coming from donations.[123]
On August 24, the government bought additional 10 million doses from Sinovac.[62]
Russia commits to deliver the first doses of Gamaleya'sSputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to the Philippines around April 2021. The Philippines and Russia are also negotiating regarding a plan to set up a production facility for Sputnik V vaccines in the Philippines.[124] The first batch of Gamaleya's vaccine, consisting of 15,000 doses, arrived on May 1.[125][126]
The first batch ofJanssen COVID-19 vaccine underCOVAX's facility from US donation, consisting of 1,606,600 doses, arrived on July 16, 2021.[127] An additional shipment of 1,632,800 doses arrived on July 17.[99]
The procurement of Janssen COVID-19 vaccines are still under negotiations.
In early March 2021, the Philippine government secured 20 million doses ofModerna's COVID-19 vaccine through a tripartite agreement with Moderna and the private sector led by businessmanEnrique Razon.[128] The first batch of Moderna's vaccine, consisting of 249,600 doses, arrived on June 27.[72] More shipments are expected in July and August 2021.[129]
The first batch of theSinopharm BIBP vaccine under the brand name Hayat-Vax arrived on August 11, consisting of 100,000 doses, donated by theUnited Arab Emirates.[102] Another batch of the Sinopharm BIBP vaccine arrived on August 20–21, consisting 1,000,000 doses, donated by China.[103][104]
The procurement of the Sinopharm vaccines are still under negotiations.
The first batch ofSputnik Light COVID-19 vaccine arrived on November 19, consisting of 5,000 doses, donated by Russia.[130]
On March 16, 2021, Philippine vaccine czarCarlito Galvez Jr. announced a purchase agreement for the Novavax vaccine of 30 million doses for the national vaccination program that shall be produced by theSerum Institute of India, being the first Southeast Asian country to procure the said vaccine.[131]
| Vaccination (as of February 5, 2023) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Doses administered | 166,256,348 +48,900 | ||
| Total population | 109,035,343 | ||
| At least one dose | Per 100 people | Fully vaccinated | Booster dose |
| 71,016,826 | 152.479
| 73,846,910 | 21,392,612 |
 | This graph was using thelegacy Graph extension, which is no longer supported. It needs to be converted to thenew Chart extension. |
| This graph was using thelegacy Graph extension, which is no longer supported. It needs to be converted to thenew Chart extension. |
| Region | First Dose[d] | Vaccinated | Fully Vaccinated | Percentage | Booster Doses | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Manila | 12,942,855 | 95.98% | 12,798,390 | 94.91% | 5,372,666 | 30,073,365 |
| Cordillera Administrative Region | 1,139,912 | 63.41% | 1,252,994 | 69.7% | 376,548 | 2,682,553 |
| Ilocos Region | 3,669,482 | 69.22% | 3,900,350 | 73.58% | 1,492,868 | 8,345,074 |
| Cagayan Valley | 2,576,249 | 69.9% | 2,635,605 | 71.51% | 874,502 | 5,647,989 |
| Central Luzon | 8,196,165 | 65.98% | 8,697,456 | 70.02% | 2,817,537 | 19,226,650 |
| Calabarzon | 10,165,009 | 62.77% | 10,782,603 | 66.58% | 3,338,120 | 23,376,796 |
| Mimaropa | 1,594,687 | 49.39% | 1,774,627 | 54.97% | 227,770 | 3,498,483 |
| Bicol Region | 3,447,527 | 56.68% | 3,633,156 | 59.73% | 660,727 | 7,343,888 |
| Western Visayas | 4,715,736 | 59.28% | 5,311,476 | 66.77% | 972,635 | 10,692,263 |
| Central Visayas | 4,684,805 | 57.97% | 4,807,154 | 59.48% | 968,771 | 10,187,195 |
| Eastern Visayas | 2,829,960 | 62.23% | 2,885,980 | 63.47% | 553,070 | 5,909,671 |
| Zamboanga Peninsula | 2,289,200 | 59.07% | 2,373,310 | 61.24% | 602,727 | 4,872,293 |
| Northern Mindanao | 3,252,825 | 64.76% | 3,286,899 | 65.44% | 960,258 | 6,935,116 |
| Davao Region | 3,325,610 | 63.42% | 3,350,804 | 63.9% | 692,260 | 7,027,089 |
| Soccsksargen | 2,583,189 | 59.23% | 2,598,514 | 59.59% | 470,911 | 5,252,070 |
| Caraga | 1,672,359 | 59.63% | 1,768,021 | 63.04% | 410,928 | 3,546,095 |
| Bangsamoro | 1,850,124 | 37.42% | 1,913,074 | 38.69% | 448,727 | 3,393,232 |
| Total | 71,016,826 | 65.13% | 73,846,910 | 67.73% | 21,392,812 | 166,256,348 |
| (Data as of February 5, 2023)[132] | ||||||
The Philippine government released a priority groups list for the national vaccination program in February 2021 as approved by the Interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group. The list include three main categorizations, with utmost priority provided for populations under "A" categorization.[133] As of February 2022, people under priority groups A1 to A5, the rest of adult population and minors (ages 5 to 17 years old) are being allowed to receive vaccination.[134][135][136]
| Category | Priority group |
|---|---|
| A1 | Frontline workers in health facilities both national and local, private and public, health professionals and non-professionals like students, nursing aides, janitors, barangay officials and health workers, and outbound Overseas Filipino Workers[138](since May 27, 2021) |
| A1.5 | City and Municipal Mayors,BARMM Chief Minister,BARMM Wa'lī, and Provincial Governors (Pursuant to IATF Resolution #: 115B-2021) |
| A2 | Senior citizens aged 60 and above |
| A3 | Persons with comorbidities not otherwise included in the preceding categories |
| A4 | Frontline personnel in essential sectors including uniformed personnel and those in working sectors identified by the IATF as essential during ECQ; local executives[e](since March 19, 2021), judiciary employees[139](since April 5, 2021), Filipinoseafarers[140](since April 12, 2021) BPO employees and COMELEC employees[141](since May 21, 2021) Olympic coaches, athletes, and delegates[142](since May 22, 2021) private sector workers, government employees, informal sector workers, and self-employed[143](since May 27, 2021), workers in the entertainment and media industry(since June 7, 2021) |
| A5 | Indigent population not otherwise included in the preceding categories,homeless population and beneficiaries of the government'sPantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P's). |
| B1 | Teachers, social workers |
| B2 | Other government workers |
| B3 | Other essential workers (e.g. grocery store workers, bank workers, retail workers, mall workers) |
| B4 | Socio-demographic groups at significantly higher risk other than senior citizens and indigent people (e.g.persons deprived of liberty, persons with disabilities, Filipinos living in high-density areas) |
| B5 | Overseas Filipino Workers |
| B6 | Other remaining workforce |
| C | Rest of the Filipino population not otherwise included in the above groups, including minors aged 5 to 17 years old. |
In January 2021, during the time when only thePfizer–BioNTech vaccine had an emergency use authorization, it was reported that an allegedblack market of smuggled vaccines from China has established itself in the Philippines. The demand for the vaccines is particularly high for Chinese nationals in the country, especially those employed byPhilippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The doses are reportedly sold at inflated prices, considerably more expensive than the standard price of the same vaccines in China.[151]
In late March 2021, the FDA released an advisory cautioning the public against fake vaccines and that vaccines which had emergency use authorization are not authorized to be sold commercially. Although as of that date, there are no reports yet of fake vaccines proliferating in the country as per the FDA.[152]
The DOH reported in March 2021 that a number of individuals hadjumped the line to get the vaccine, becoming vaccinated despite being otherwise ineligible to do so.[153] These include several local government officials, prompting theDepartment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to issue show cause orders against them to explain why they were vaccinated,[154] and actorMark Anthony Fernandez, who was vaccinated despite not belonging to a priority group for the vaccine.[155] Fernandez, for his part, claimed that he had underlying health conditions that otherwise made him eligible.[156]
The issue has raised the concerns of theCommission on Human Rights,[157] and has also led to the WHO warning the Philippine government that it risks losing access to its share of vaccines provided by COVAX if the practice continues.[158]
A number of suggestions were floated to address line jumping, with SenatorFranklin Drilon urging the government to ramp up the country's vaccine supply,[159] and RepresentativePrecious Hipolito, who represents thesecond district of Quezon City, filing a bill that would amend the Philippines' COVID-19 vaccination law to criminalize the practice.[160]
In 2020, members of thePresidential Security Group (PSG), Cabinet officials, a senator, and theSpecial Envoy for Public Diplomacy to China received vaccines without clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Department of Health (DOH).[161]
Duterte said in December 2020 that some members of the military received COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese manufacturer Sinopharm despite the vaccine not yet officially approved by the country's health authorities.[162] A few days later, it was reported that some members of the PSG had also received vaccines from an unknown manufacturer.[163][164] Defense SecretaryDelfin Lorenzana said that the vaccine used by the security group were smuggled.[165] Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III said that members of the PSG were vaccinated as early as September 2020 and Duterte said that PSG personnel administered the vaccines themselves.[166] Presidential SpokespersonHarry Roque urged the public to "just accept" that some soldiers have received COVID-19 vaccines.[167] On December 28, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that the PSG members were the first ones to be vaccinated to "protect" Duterte.[168]
On December 29, FDA Director General Enrique Domingo said that the DOH and the FDA were not consulted over the inoculation of soldiers and other government officials.[169] On December 30, Durante said that he will take "full responsibility" for the vaccine administered to the PSG.[164]
In 2021, criminal investigations and hearings were ordered by the National Bureau of Investigation,[163] the FDA,[170] and the Philippine Senate over alleged irregularities with the vaccinations.
On January 4, 2021, Duterte ordered the PSG to either not attend any congressional meeting regarding the unauthorized vaccination or stay quiet during such a hearing, contradicting the Presidential Spokesperson who said that the PSG will submit to any investigation.[171] On January 5, despite Duterte's threat of a potential "crisis" if senators questioned his military bodyguards, the Senate opened an investigation for the unauthorized use of COVID-19 vaccines.[172][173] On January 6, SenatorSherwin Gatchalian said he found nothing wrong with giving vaccines to PSG members since they were consideredfrontliners, though he acknowledged and took issue with the fact that the vaccines were brought into the country illegally.[174]
On May 3, 2021, PresidentRodrigo Duterte received his first dose of theSinopharm BIBP vaccine despite the latter not receiving an EUA from FDA. The FDA only issued a one-time compassionate special permit (CSP) for 10,000 doses of the vaccine for the PSG.[175]
But due to public outrage, President Duterte apologized for taking the vaccine that has not been authorized by the FDA for emergency use and asked the Chinese Embassy to take back its donation.[176]
Foreign Affairs SecretaryTeodoro Locsin Jr. announced theGovernment of Hong Kong will not honor the proof of vaccination issued by local government units and the Bureau of Quarantine in the Philippines due to a lack of a central registry. This was after severalOverseas Filipino Worker (OFWs) bound for the territory were reported to have been refused entry due to non-recognition of their vaccine certificates.[177][178]
As an interim solution, theDepartment of Health confirmed that all outbound travelers would use theInternational Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) issued by the Bureau of Quarantine as an official proof of vaccination forinternational travel better known as the "yellow card".[177]
On August 22, 2021, theDepartment of Labor and Employment announced that theGovernment of Hong Kong will permit the entry of fully vaccinated Filipino workers into the territory upon the presentation of the International Certificate of Vaccination issued by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) beginning on August 30, 2021.[179]
A Reuters investigation found that theUnited States Department of Defense (DoD) undertook adisinformation campaign in the Philippines from 2020 to 2021 which sought to discredit China, in particular itsSinovac vaccine.[180] The campaign reportedly aimed to counter "China’s COVID diplomacy and propaganda."[180] The campaign was overseen bySpecial Operations Command Pacific as well as theUnited States Central Command. Military personnel based inTampa, Florida operated phony accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), some of which were more than five years old according to Reuters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they disseminated hashtags of#ChinaIsTheVirus and posts claiming that the Sinovac vaccine contained gelatin from pork and therefore washaram or forbidden for purposes of Islamic law. US diplomats aware of the campaign were against the idea, but they were overruled by the military, which also asked tech companies not to take down the content after it was discovered by Facebook and X. A retrospective review by the DoD subsequently uncovered other social and political messaging that was "many leagues away" from acceptable military objective. The primarydefence contractor on the project wasGeneral Dynamics IT, which received $493 million for its role. The military-run accounts had tens of thousands of followers. It is currently unknown how many people might have been persuaded not to be vaccinated.[180]
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