Thread by @ANCALERTS

NOW: Let's talk about the most pressing issues on #ANCHeadstart with @iamkarendavila.

@iamkarendavila TODAY on Hot Copy: World Health Organization (WHO) PH Country Representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe #ANCHeadstart

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: We expect 5.6 million doses of #COVID19 vaccine from the COVAX facility. Vaccines may arrive towards the end of first quarter or middle of second quarter.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: We are hoping that vaccines earmarked for the PH will be provided within the year.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: COVAX looks to make agreements with Janssen for vaccines.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: Commitment is to deliver doses to vaccinate 20% of the population.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: COVAX facility has arrangements with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: We are looking at the data generated as vaccines are rolled out.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: Vaccines distributed through COVAX facility are earmarked for vulnerable groups.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: It is critical to have good databases to make it easier to distribute #COVID19 vaccines to target populations.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: It is only right to give healthcare workers the first opportunity for protection vs. #COVID19.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: The vaccine rollout has been challenging in practically every country.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: We are working with PH Health department to monitor side effects from vaccines.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: Learning the lessons from the vaccine rollout in other countries is how we have been helping the government.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: PH is one of the first recipients of the early rollout of vaccines from COVAX facility.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: Each vaccine has a list of indications & contraindications.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: We are not advising a cap on age for vaccination.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: Vaccine will not reopen the world right now. Transmission will continue; we won't be able to vaccinate everyone until probably until 2 years from now. No one is safe until everyone is safe. We still have to follow distancing measures.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: We need to still follow health protocols like social distancing to prevent new mutations/variants of the virus.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: Requiring a vaccination certificate before travel is an ongoing discussion.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: Data on new #COVID19 variants still premature.

@iamkarendavila #ANCHeadstart Abeyasinghe: It depends on what kind of masks you're wearing--if it's the surgical or medical mask, you may not need to wear 2. What's more important is wearing the masks properly, following physical distancing protocols, and observing proper hand hygiene.