Malacañang has appealed to the three million unvaccinated senior citizens in the country to finally get vaccinated as they remain at high-risk for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Acting Presidential Spokesman Karlo Nograles echoed the call of President Duterte, encouraging senior citizens to get vaccinated, stressing that their population needs to be protected the most against the viral disease through vaccines.
"Meron tayong 3 million na senior citizens na hindi pa bakunado, pakiusap po namin sa mga lolo at lola at sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay (We have 3 million unvaccinated senior citizens, we are appealing to our elderlies and their loved ones), for yourselves and for your families, please get vaccinated. Our seniors are vulnerable to COVID-19," Nograles said during a press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
The Cabinet Secretary said vaccinating the three million unvaccinated seniors is an "essential task" of the government, citing that "senior citizens are at highest risk of death due to COVID-19" according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
"And in the country 7 out of 10 deaths are in patients 60 years old and above. Mas kailangan po nila ng dagdag proteksyon na binibigay ng bakuna kahit ano pa ang brand nito (They need additional protection that the vaccine is giving whatever brand it is)," Nograles said.
"Hindi kami magsasawa sa pagpapaalala, ang mga bakuna natin laban sa COVID-19 ay may emergency use authorization mula sa FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Lahat ng ito ay ligtas at epektibo. Lahat anuman ang brand ay nagbibigay ng proteksyon laban sa severe at critical cases ng COVID-19 (We are not getting tired of reminding that our vaccines against COVID-19 have emergency use authorization from the FDA. All of this are safe and effective. All whatever the brand gives protection against severe and critical cases of COVID-19)," Nograles added, stressing that all vaccines are free.
As of Jan. 10, the government's vaccination drive has administered 114 million doses. Around 62 million individuals received their first dose while close to 53 million are already fully vaccinated. Around 3.5 million persons have received their booster dose.
Nograles said the government aims to vaccinate 90 million individulas before June 2022 ends.
He further said that the country "has no problem in the supply of vaccines" as he disclosed that close to 3 million Pfizer and Moderna vaccines arrived early this year.