MANILA – The government plans to expand the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination drive in pharmacies nationwide by mid-February.

In a television interview on Saturday, Department of Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said they are targeting to expand the vaccination drive to the rest of the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, and Calabarzon under Phase 2.

“Phase 3 nationwide may be [held] in the second week of February,” said Cabotaje, also the National Vaccination Operations Center chair.

She said 1,860 individuals aged 18 years old and above have received their booster shots since the vaccination drive began in seven pharmacies two days ago.

Booster vaccination initially began in seven pharmacies in the NCR – Mercury Drug Quirino Avenue, Malate, Manila; Southstar Drug Marikina; Watsons at SM Center Pasig; Generika Drugstore in Signal 1, Taguig; The Generics Pharmacy in Barangay Sun Valley, Parañaque; QualiMed Clinic McKinley Road, Makati; and Healthway Manila clinic in Ermita.

“Vaccination in pharmacies and clinics will be free for the entire week of the pilot run,” she said.

The government is also looking into different strategies to sustain free vaccination in pharmacies and clinics for this year. One option is through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PNA)