It is generally believed by thinking people that vaccination against the Coronavirus remains a key strategy in fighting and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly the onslaught by its dreaded Omicron variant.
At the recent Laging Handa briefing, Presidential Adviser for Covid-19 Response, Dr. Vivencio Dizon said the National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) will apply the same strategy it did during the Delta variant surge now that a significant surge in daily infections again obtains.
Dizon said Filipinos need to remember that they have been through the same problem. “This is already the fourth surge since 2020. We have gone through the Delta surge the past few months, and it was when we are still in the middle of our vaccination,” he noted.
Dizon urged unvaccinated Filipinos to get their Covid-19 jabs as new strains of the virus will target those who have not yet received their vaccines, assuring that the country has abundant supply of the vaccines. He also urged vaccinated Pinoys to get their booster jabs.
The country fell short of its target to vaccinate 54 million Filipinos by the end-2021, but Dizon expressed optimism the target might be achieved during in a few days. He regretted that Typhoon Odette in Visayas and Mindanao in mid-December 2021 has also affected the government’s vaccination drive.
The NTF also aims to give full Covid-19 jabs to 70 million Filipinos beginning March this year to achieve its targeted herd immunity population. It also aims shortly to start vaccinating children aged 5 to 11.
Dizon reiterated the call of government for Filipinos, including who don’t believe in the Covid-19 pandemic, to strictly follow health protocols such as wearing face masks, sanitizing, and avoiding crowded areas. He regretted that many have violated minimum health standards during parties and get-together events during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.