Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The national vaccination drive aims to protect the public from Covid-19 and creating hindrances against the pandemic response will not help any.
On Monday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III asked individuals or groups not to influence Filipinos against getting vaccinated.
He cited the viral videos of those against the “no vaccination, no ride’’ policy, with most saying they cannot be forced to be inoculated because they do not believe the jabs will benefit them.
“Huwag na po nating gawing hadlang ang kung anu-ano, para lang huwag maging tagumpay ang ating national vaccination program (Let’s not come up with any hindrance for the national vaccination program not to succeed),” Duque said during the Laging Handa briefing.
Since January 17, only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to take public transportation in the National Capital Region (NCR) as per the Department of Transportation order.
Duque added that the policy has exemptions, like those purchasing essential goods and medicines, paying bills, going to work, or those with comorbidities as advised by doctors.
He emphasized that vaccination benefits everyone, especially senior citizens and those with comorbidities.
“Dahil inangkat na ito ng gobyerno at binayaran ng inyong gobyerno sa mga buwis na tinanggap nito, nakolekta, ay suportahan naman natin para magkaroon ng sapat na proteksiyon ang bawat mamamayan at makabalik na sa normal ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan (Since the government purchased these [Covid-19 vaccines] with the taxes it has collected, let us support [the national vaccination drive] so every person will have enough protection and our lives will go back to normal),” Duque said.
As of Sunday, the country has already administered 123,365,808 vaccine doses since the vaccination rollout in March last year.
A total of 21,473,675 doses were administered in the NCR alone. (PNA)
