Ramp up vaccinations while COVID-19 cases are lower, Angara urges gov't
Senator Sonny Angara on Monday urged the government to ramp up the vaccination against COVID-19 while cases are declining on a daily basis.
Angara said the current data is encouraging and provides a strong argument in support of the effectiveness of getting innoculated against COVID-19.
“Just like what we said when we were pushing for the acceleration of the vaccination program implementation last year and as confirmed by our health officials and experts, vaccines work and more lives are being saved every day,” said Angara, principal sponsor of Republic Act 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act.
The Senate Finance Committee chief, likewise, said it is time for authorities to catch up on the administration of booster shots as only eight (8) million have so far received their third doses.
“We should be just as aggressive in promoting and delivering these booster shots so that we can provide our people with ample protection against COVID,” Angara added.
The senator also urged the government to particularly seek out the elderly and get them vaccinated.
Authorities should also reach out to the senior citizens who may have already completed their primary doses but have yet to receive their booster shots.
“Our seniors are among the most vulnerable to severe ailments brought about by COVID and with the findings indicating that the level of immunity from the initial doses of the vaccines going down after several months, it is crucial that they are given the booster doses as a priority group,” Angara said.
He also reminded the local government units (LGUs) to conduct door-to-door visitations of their senior residents to check on their vaccination status.
Angara also said the information campaign regarding the effectiveness of vaccines in saving lives should also continue considering that there are still many citizens who remain hesitant in getting vaccinated.