Senator Francis Tolentino on Thursday, March 9 called on the Department of Health (DOH) to launch a re-intensified campaign on the government’s Covid-19 vaccination program to prevent the country from further wasting doses of primary vaccines and booster shots. 

Tolentino pointed out that the DOH has been lying low in its campaign since the government relaxed its stringent policies against Covid-19.

The senator said he hopes DOH Acting Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire would again hold regular press briefings to inform the public about the latest statistics and updates on the program. 

“Di gaya nuon na laging naririnig si Secretary Vergeire (Unlike before you can hear Secretary Vergeire often),” Tolentino pointed out during a press briefing after a hearing on the 44 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines that were wasted.

“(She can hold it again) Kahit twice a week (even for twice a week),” the Senate Committee on Blue Ribbon Committee chairman said. 

Currently, the DOH has stopped its press briefings held through the government’s Laging Handa been but has been continuing its live updates through online platforms.

At the same time, Tolentino said the DOH and the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) should work together to solve the country’s problem on information dissemination and vaccine wastage. 

The lawmaker further said the DOH can hold another massive information campaign, rollout vaccination for children, and have a tie-up with other programs like the 4Ps or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. 

He noted the Philippines, until now, has a low vaccination rate.  Tolentino noted societal acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccines is one of the factors that led to the wastage of 44 million doses of expired vaccines.

The senator said it is imperative for the DOH to be present in daily discussions on how to make people realize that vaccines are still needed.