Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III appealed to election candidates to promote the importance of Covid-19 vaccination among their supporters during their campaign activities as this will help encourage more people to get vaccinated.
“Ako ay nakikiusap sa ating mga pulitiko na tumatakbo na huwag kalimutan na ikampanya yung pagbabakuna (I am appealing to our politicians who are running this election not to forget to promote vaccination),” said Duque during a radio interview on Wednesday, April 6.
Duque said that such an act will also show that the candidates are concerned for the health of the citizens.
“Malalapit pa sila sa puso ng mga tao kasi alam ng taumbayan nabigyan prioridad ang kanilang kalusugan (They will be closer to the hearts of the citizens because this would show that they are prioritizing the health of the people),” he said.
Duque said that the Covid-19 vaccination program still continues amid the election period.
“Hindi naman magiging hadlang ang election o campaign period sa pagbabakuna (The election or campaign period will not be a hindrance to the vaccination ),” he said.
Promoting vaccination in election campaigns is a good strategy for people to get vaccinated, he said.
“Ayan ang pinakamagandang pamamaraan para ikampanya itong ating national vaccination program na may benepisyo talagang malinaw at may protection na maidudulot laban sa pandemya (That is the best way to campaign our national vaccination program---which has very clear benefits and can give protection against this pandemic),” said Duque.
The DOH said 66.2 million individuals have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in the country. Meanwhile, 12.2 million people have already got their booster shots as of April 4.