NTF Covid-19 Special Adviser Dr. Teodoro Herbosa (PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler)
MANILA – The public will be welcome to walk in and get inoculated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in any government vaccination site during the second round of the three-day “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” drive.
In an interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, National Task Force Against Covid-19 special adviser, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, said the program, scheduled from December 15 to 17, would have dedicated areas for those who have a scheduled appointment and walk-ins.
“Walang pauuwiin during the national vaccination days na hindi nabakunahan. So, kapag pumunta sila dun, dapat mabakunahan sila on that day (No one will be allowed to leave without getting vaccinated during the national vaccination days. So, if they visit, they have to be vaccinated),” Herbosa said.
While unvaccinated senior citizens and those aged 12 years to 17 years are still the main priority, all eligible individuals will be vaccinated, including those seeking a booster shot, he said.
“May area ka for the booster shots, the second shots, and the priority first shots. Kasi ipa-priority mo pa rin yung mga senior citizens (There will be an area for booster shots, second shots, and the priority first shots. Because we’re still prioritizing the elderly),” Herbosa said.
He, however, noted that only a few members of the public are eligible for booster shots as these have only been approved for those who have received both doses six months ago, or three months for those given the Janssen single-dose vaccine.
He warned that the threat of the Omicron variant is “still real” and noted the significant increase in Covid-19 cases in South Africa, which necessitates continued vaccination efforts against the disease.
“Luckily, the mortality rate is not as bad, even the WHO (World Health Organization) said it's milder. But still, people get infected. It's highly transmissible. So, the best defense is still getting your vaccines,” Herbosa said.
While the supply of syringes and other ancillaries became a problem during the first mass vaccination program, he said the country has since secured more as part of the preparations made by the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC).
“(The NVOC) is making sure that all the vaccines delivered have the concomitant ancillary supplies,” Herbosa said. (PNA)
