The government’s planned three-day national vaccination drive from November 29 to December 1 is the “booster shot” needed to increase inoculation numbers, which nine months after the first jab was administered have yet to hit 50 percent of target.
This “one time-big time” approach is what we need, Senator Joel Villanueva said, adding that “grand mobilizations” could draw “the hesitant and the unreached” to vaccination centers.
He said one priority group should be workers and job applicants “as their getting a job hastens the financial recovery not only of their families but of the entire economy as well.”
One way of reaching unvaccinated people who are “outside the digital wall” is for the government to launch vaccination caravans that will sweep through workplaces and neighborhoods “with no or poor broadband connectivity,’’ he pointed out.
Villanueva believes the turnout would be bigger “if every presidential candidate will command their followers to support the planned three-day event.”
“Yan po ang araw na pwede magkaroon ng caravan at motorcade ang mga supporters ng mga presidentiables na hindi lang magpapalaganap ng impormasyon, pero pwedeng maghatid-sundo na rin sa mga magpapabakuna (This will be the day that there would be caravans and motorcade of presidentiables’ supporters who do not only relay information but could transport those to be vaccinated),’’ he said.
“Vaccination transcends political lines and color, and the combined persuasive powers of aspirants for the highest office of the land can break down vaccine reluctance,” he added.