AN expert on infectious diseases yesterday recommended making mandatory the third vaccine or first booster shot against COVID-19 to increase one’s protection amid the rising cases of infection in the country.
Dr. Rontgene Solante, during the “Laging Handa” public briefing, stressed anew that the Philippines is one of the countries with the lowest booster uptake in the region, at less than 20 percent.
Solante, a member of technical advisory group of the Department of Health, said other ASEAN-member countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have already reached the 50 percent mark.
He said apart from increasing one’s protection against COVID-19 especially the new variants, giving booster shots will also be in preparation for the resumption of the face-to-face classes and for sustaining of the further opening of the economy.
“I think it’s high time that we need to mandate the booster vaccination to the general population. Kailangan mandatory na siguro para lang ma-increase natin ang protection (Maybe it’s time to make it mandatory just to increase our protection) especially now we are preparing for the face-to-face classes in November and the workplaces are also open now,” he said.
Solante said many people got the primary series in the past because it enabled them to return to work and access public transportation and establishments such as malls.
As of July 10, about 71.055 million are fully vaccinated but only 15.342 million have received a booster shot.
President Marcos Jr. Has said classes are expected to resume between August and September with a “phased-in” face-to-face arrangement while the full face-to-face implementation will start November.
Marcos on Friday talked to local government units about the conduct of large-scale immunization drives for booster shots targeting school children so they can safely go back to school.
He said he wants a booster rollout similar to the vaccine rollout done last year adding that a successful booster rollout could lead to the lowering of alert levels and making the wearing of face masks optional in the near future.
