MANILA – The national vaccination campaign intends to protect the public from Covid-19, and impeding the pandemic response will contribute nothing.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday urged individuals or groups to refrain from attempting to dissuade Filipinos from getting vaccinated.
He mentioned viral videos of people opposed to the “no vaccination, no ride” policy, with the majority stating that they cannot be coerced into vaccinations since 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.
As per the Department of Transportation order, only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to take public transportation in the National Capital Region (NCR) since January 17.
The policy has exemptions, like those purchasing essential goods and medicines, paying bills, going to work, or those with comorbidities as advised by doctors, Duque added.
He highlighted the significance of vaccination for everyone, particularly elderly 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.
Since the vaccination campaign began in March of last year, the country had already administered 123,365,808 vaccine doses as of Sunday.
In the NCR alone, a total of 21,473,675 doses were administered.
