DOH holds COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall Meeting for patient support groups and civil society organizations

Press Release/ 23 February 2021

As part of the COVID-19 information dissemination series, the Department of Health through the Pharmaceutical Division and Health Promotion Bureau conducted a Town Hall Meeting on COVID-19 Vaccines open to patient support groups and civil society organizations, today via Zoom and Facebook Live. 

Department of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III formally started the event with an opening message wherein he highlighted the importance of this activity in providing various sectors relevant and timely information on vaccines. He also emphasized that vaccine is the symbol of hope in these trying times so everyone must be “champions” when it comes to disseminating the importance of vaccines in the safety and protection of public health.

Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., in his message reminded everyone of their responsibility as civil servants to help the Filipino people make an informed decision on COVID 19 Vaccines through countering misinformation thus giving the much needed vaccine confidence.

Scheduled before the planned roll-out of vaccines this March, the activity was both timely and relevant for the attendees since they learned more about the process of vaccine selection, evaluation, procurement and deployment, communication plan on the COVID-19 vaccination program, reporting of adverse effects after immunization and registration and data privacy of population groups in relation to COVID-19 vaccination procedures.

Representatives from DOH bureaus such as Usec. Myrna C. Cabotaje, Undersecretary of Health of Field Implementation and Coordination Team, Dr. Alfonso Regala and Dr. Dominic Maddumba of Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Anna Melissa Guerrero, Chief of Pharmaceutical Division and Mr. Francis Uy, UPPAF Respond Consultant for Department of Information and Communications Technology graced the said activity as its speakers.

The event also featured a panel discussion for patient groups wherein representatives from Positive Action Foundation Philippines Incorporated, Philippine Alliance of Patients Organizations, Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Warriors and Diabetes Philippines shared their insights and learnings during the event as well as their commitments in supporting the COVID-19 vaccination program.  

This activity is also referred to as the 13th Policy Dialogue on Universal Healthcare and Access to Medicines, organized by DOH-Pharmaceutical Division every quarter which is dedicated to inform the patient support groups updates and current issues regarding healthcare in the Philippines.