MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health is still waiting for the 1.2 million doses of Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine earlier committed by the World Health Organization.Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and WHO Director General Margaret Chan announced last month that the WHO would turn over a total of nine million doses of H1N1 vaccine to the Philippine government as part of its pledge to give developing countries access to the much-needed medication.

The first delivery of the vaccine consisting of 1.2 million doses is expected before the end of year.

“We’re still waiting, although the commitment of the WHO is before the year ends. Our vaccination
program is already in place, we are ready when the vaccines arrive,” said Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH program manager on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

The DOH has said it would give priority to about 400,000 frontline health workers because they are at “higher risk of getting the disease than ordinary people due to the larger probability of exposure.”Health workers have to be vaccinated against the novel flu virus since they may unknowingly transmit the infection to their families and other patients with other illnesses.Lee Suy said social workers and members of the military who directly deal with health patients would also be vaccinated.

The vaccination however will be purely voluntary, according to the DOH. The vaccine will also be administered free of charge.As of Nov. 7, DOH records showed that at least 32 people with H1N1 infection have died out of the 5,463 confirmed cases since the monitoring started in May.Lee Suy said top government officials including the President and the Vice President would be given the vaccine.“They are also considered in the frontline too. It’s not a matter [of the personalities]. We think of the position. If they fall ill, the government functions will also be affected,” he said.