The Philippines may get its supply of monkeypox vaccines in 2023 at the earliest, the Department of Health said Wednesday as it explores ways on how to procure it.
ASEAN countries are looking to "procure [vaccines] as one" while DOH is in talks with private sectors offering help to secure vaccine stocks for the Philippines, said DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire. Healthcare workers will be prioritized for the vaccines, she said.
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"Doon po sa mga pag-uusap, ang pinakamaagang deliveries kung sakali makakabili tayo would still be 2023," she told ANC.
"We're still trying to explore that avenue where we can just request kahit minimal amount muna para lang mabigyan natin kahit healthcare workers muna."
The Philippines has one confirmed monkeypox case so far. The patient has finished isolation and was discharged with clearance from their physician, said Vergeire. The patient is now allowed to interact with others, she said.
While monkeypox most often spreads via sexual contact, Vergeire said it could also spread through direct contact with monkeypox patients or by touching their clothes and other objects.
"Naha-highlight lang po itong sektor na ito because 95% globally ang nakikita nila is through this transmision but let me repeat it again at gusto ko po ipaalala sa ating kababayan, kahit sino sa atin maaaring magkaroon nitong monkeypox na sakit na ito."
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