More deaths expected due to vaccine shortage, says Duterte.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte warned the public to expect more coronavirus-related deaths due to the continuing unavailability of Covid-19 vaccine supply.

In his second “Talk to the People” address this week following his video call with Russia President Vladimir Putin, Duterte said he did not know when the Philippines would get enough Covid-19 vaccines to inoculate all Filipinos.

“We won’t be talking about vaccines if supply is available. But there is none. Until now, the word is ‘unavailable’. Because there’s not sufficient supply to inoculate the world,” Duterte said in a pre-recorded speech aired on Thursday.

“This will take long. I tell you, many more will die because of this. I just can’t say who,” he added.

Duterte on Thursday admitted that he himself does not know when the Philippines would receive an ample supply of Covid-19 vaccines.

The Philippines has also received vaccines from the World Health Organisation-led Covax facility.

“We are receiving vaccines in trickles. To our sadness, the stocks that are coming in are barely enough to inoculate the health workers. Now, when will we have sufficient stock to vaccinate the people? I really do not know. Nobody knows,” Duterte added.

“Do not be afraid, government is working. Government is busy doing everything, not nothing,” Duterte said,

So far, the Philippines has recorded 15,594 deaths due to Covid-19.

In order to achieve herd immunity, the Philippines has targeted to vaccinate 70% of its population or 70 million people. But the country has only so far vaccinated over one million individuals.