G20 Recognizes PH as a Model Country for Vax Deployment

The Philippines was named an “example country” in the fight against COVID-19 as the Group of Twenty (G20) recognized the country’s vaccination deployment program.

This was reported by the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. during President Rodrigo Duterte’s prerecorded “Talk to the People” Monday night.

“They acknowledged that the Philippines is an example country in the acceleration of the vaccine deployment,” Galvez said.

According to Galvez, G20 commended the Philippines for its vaccination program, despite the initial high hesitancy of the public, and the low supplies that the country was receiving during the initial stages of the COVID-19 immunization program.

The Philippines was commended in the World Health Organization, World Bank, Gavi, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, and other foreign institution-prepared reports to the G20 titled “Accelerating Covid-19 Vaccine Deployment: Removing obstacles to increase coverage levels and protect those at high risk.”

The G20 commendation of the Philippines is a “huge recognition,” according to Galvez, as the international community acknowledged the vaccination program of the country.

“Nilalagay ang Pilipinas na isang ehemplo (The Philippines was made as an example) in terms of reducing vaccine hesitancy and increasing demand for COVID-19 vaccination,” Galvez added.

The G20 is an international group of major developed and emerging economies whose members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, with Spain being a permanent guest to the forum. (GFB)