Typhoon Odette cancels planned mass COVID-19 vaccinations

A local tourist arrives to take shelter at a sports complex turned evacuation center in Dapa town, Siargao island, Surigao del Norte province in southern island of Mindanao on December 16, 2021, as Typhoon Rai barrel the island.

AFP / Roel Catoto

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) forced local authorities to suspend COVID-19 vaccinations of people living in the path of the storm, the Department of Health said Thursday.

Earlier this week, the government moved the second phase of the massive immunization drive—scheduled from Wednesday to Friday—in 11 regions to next week due to Odette.

According to DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, around 20.6% or 338 out of 1,634 towns and cities in the 11 regions did not participate in the government’s vaccination push.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/12/16/2148405/typhoon-odette-cancels-planned-mass-covid-19-vaccinations