Go: Get vaccinated

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go urged Filipinos anew to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get booster shots if eligible after President Duterte ordered the authorities to accelerate the vaccine rollout, especially outside the National Capital Region.

In his Talk to the People address on Tuesday, Duterte said there is no excuse for qualified Filipinos to be unvaccinated when there are plenty of vaccination sites and more than 213 million vaccine doses delivered nationwide since February of last year.

“I urge all to get vaccinated, especially that the (vaccination) program is open to the general population. Those qualified can have their booster shots. Data show that those positive and have severe symptoms are mostly those who are unvaccinated,” Go, who chairs the Senate health committee, said in Filipino.

“Let’s show empathy to our frontliners and set a schedule with your nearest vaccination site. Don’t be afraid of the vaccination because this is the only solution so we can go back to our normal lives,” he said.

He said the government aims to vaccinate 77 million Filipinos and complete the 12 to 17 age group before the end of the first quarter of 2022. It also targets to fully vaccinate 90 million Filipinos and finish the booster shots of 72.16 million individuals by the second and third quarter, respectively.

To do so, the government hopes to inoculate three million senior citizens and all remaining unvaccinated adults, the 25 million eligible for boosters and minors. The emergency use authorization of different vaccine brands will also be expanded to include other minors, he said.

In the meantime, new vaccinators will be hired to ensure the deployment of sufficient doses nationwide. Local government units are also encouraged to collaborate with the private sector to increase public demand for both primary and booster shots, he said.

Go also reminded the public to strictly follow health protocols, like properly wearing masks, ensuring social distancing and frequent handwashing.