Now that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are here in the country, an official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Health Care said the faithful should no longer hesitate and have themselves inoculated.
"We know that there is already an available vaccine out there. It might not be enough, but it is there already for us," CBCP - ECHC Vice-Chairman Bishop Oscar Florencio said in an interview Monday, March 8.
"If the slot is already ours, then we should take it. As the experts say, the best vaccine is what you have now," he added.
Florencio said while the available vaccines might not be enough, it may be God's answer to the prayer of the people.
"For us Catholics, this may be the answer to our oratio imperata (mandatory prayer). Why not avail for those who are given the slots? Otherwise, the oratio will just be a waste," he said.
The CBCP official also explained why the people, especially those who are eligible, need to be inoculated.
"We know that this covid will stay even without vaccine or with vaccine. They wil stay with us for a while," said Florencio.
"We need to be inoculated so that we can alleviate the loss of dear lives," he added.
The Philippine government started its vaccination drive on March 1 with the inoculation of healthcare workers.