Vaccination coupled with compliance to health and safety protocols are still the best defense against the Covid-19 virus, the Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public.

The DOH issued the said reminder following the detection of Omicron subvariant XBB and the XBC variant in the Philippines.

“Vaccines remain effective in preventing severe and critical Covid-19, as well as death from Covid-19, regardless of variant,” the DOH said.

Covid-19 vaccination is especially important for immunocompromised individuals and the elderly as they are vulnerable to the viral disease, the DOH said.

New variants of coronavirus “will naturally emerge with continued transmission and that limiting the spread of Covid-19 is the definitive way to prevent this emergence,” the DOH said.

“Hence, adherence to minimum public health standards such as masking, isolation, ventilation, and hand washing are important steps the public can take to mitigate transmission,” it said.

Meanwhile, the DOH assured that surveillance and monitoring activities are being implemented “to ensure that threats of possible outbreaks are immediately addressed.”

“The country’s healthcare utilization rate remains at low risk, and that preparatory activities have already been initiated to ensure that triage systems are in place and step-down health facilities are available should an increase in healthcare utilization rates be observed,” it said.