
The government is planning to conduct a national coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination drive for senior citizens, the Department of Health (DOH) bared on Wednesday, Jan. 5.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that it is important that senior citizens are vaccinated to protect them against the severe form of COVID-19.
“We are planning to put up a national vaccination day for the senior citizens and also for those who have completed their primary series first and second doses,” said Duque during a town hall event organized by Go Negosyo.
Duque said that they continue encouraging the elderly people and those with comorbidities to get their jabs as they are vulnerable in contracting COVID-19.
“We need to further encourage everyone to get their primary series and booster doses at the soonest possible time, but bearing in mind that the prioritization framework all to be followed---the A2 (senior citizens), A3 (with comorbidities). We must exert extra effort to see to it that they will be prioritized,” he said.
“Vaccines protect not only the individual but also our families, communities, and our country. So, let us all join the vaccinated and not the intubated as they say,” he said.
The government is targeting to vaccinate 8,254,531 senior citizens nationwide. However, there were only 5,669,493 fully vaccinated elderly individuals as of Jan. 4. Moreover, only 582,318 senior citizens have received their booster shots.
Based on the National Vaccination dashboard, a total of 50,627,196 Filipinos were already fully vaccinated. A total of 2,207,941 people got their booster shots.