Unless Filipinos stop believing in fake news about vaccines, the likelihood that the COVID-19 situation in the country will turn for the worse will be greater.

Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles said people should take heed of the recent disclosure of the Food and Drug Administration that only 0.001 percent or 116 persons out of the more than 9.1 million vaccinated individuals suffered breakthrough infections.

He said FDA Director General Eric Domingo further revealed that of the 116 infected vaccinated individuals, only 11 percent were hospitalized.

Nograles said it is now time for Filipinos to stop subscribing to fake news or wrong information against vaccination, saying that the best option to avoid COVID-19 infection is to get inoculated and follow health and safety protocols.

“We have to listen to science. That is how we will be able to beat this pandemic. The spread of fake news against vaccines is harmful to our public health situation especially now that both the Delta and Lambda variants are already here,” said Nograles.

“ As of now, latest numbers are saying that 99.999% of Filipinos who completed their jabs remain uninfected,” the Rizal solon pointed out.

Nograles called on citizens not only to reject fake news but also to campaign fiercely against it and call on others to stop spreading them on social media.

“The problem with this buzz about the supposed dangers of the anti-COVID vaccine is that it confuses our people. We need to underscore that the benefits outweigh the side effects and all vaccines approved by the FDA provides protection against severe infection,” he said.

Nograles added: “We understand that our vaccine supply is currently limited so for those who are still waiting for their turn, the right thing to do is to still follow physical distancing, wearing of appropriate facemasks, and frequent washing of hands.” The Harvard-trained lawmaker also called on local government units to efficiently distribute ayuda or the pandemic-related financial assistance.

“Following protocols is the responsibility of our constituents and our part is to ensure that their ayuda will be distributed without much delay. We need to recognize that the timely and efficient distribution of financial assistance is part of the plan in discouraging them to go out of their homes unless extremely necessary,” he stated.