Vaccination key to normalcy
First booster dose uptake also remains low nationally among all age groups at around 26 percent of the target population.
Daily TribuneFirst booster dose uptake also remains low nationally among all age groups at around 26 percent of the target population.
Our country has made significant strides in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. In the almost three years that we have been living under the constant threat of the virus, we have managed to implement measures and pursue initiatives providing better protection for our people and allowing the gradual resumption of our pre-pandemic day-to-day activities.
Apart from the implementation of minimum health protocols, our nationwide vaccination program is contributing enormously to the country's bid to return to normalcy. From the moment the Covid-19 vaccines became available in our country and consistently thereafter, I have been encouraging all our eligible Filipinos to get their complete vaccine and booster shots against the virus.
The vaccines have been proven to be effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying due to Covid-19, especially as variants continue to emerge.
I am glad that we have made significant progress in administering the vaccine primary series. As of 2 November, the Department of Health reported that more than 71 million Filipinos have already received their complete vaccine doses.
However, our country's booster rate remains low, with only 20.6 million doses administered. In fact, our booster rate is among the lowest in the entire Southeast Asian region. As of 1 November, we have only vaccinated around 48 percent of children aged 5-11. First booster dose uptake also remains low nationally among all age groups at around 26 percent of the target population.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I once again call on all our qualified Filipinos: please get vaccinated and boosted to be better protected from Covid-19.
Our government has earlier launched its PinasLakas campaign to speed up and increase booster uptake across the country by setting up vaccination sites at malls, schools, workplaces, hospitals, terminals, and various communities. The vaccines and boosters are free and now even available on more accessible sites. Thus, I repeat: For all those eligible, please get your jabs now.
Let us remember that vaccine efficacy declines over time. To be better protected, it is always best to stay up to date with the recommended doses and boosters against the virus. It does not hurt to take extra precautions when it comes to our health. We cannot afford to be complacent as the threat of this unseen and evolving enemy remains.
Meanwhile, other persistent threats to the lives and livelihood of our people are the calamities that often batter the Philippines. Just recently, severe tropical storm "Paeng" cut a deathly swathe in our country, leaving over a hundred casualties and hundreds of thousands of affected families. To check on the situation of some of the typhoon victims and other disaster-hit communities, I personally led a series of relief operations last week from Cavite to Taguig City and, finally, to Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
On 4 November, I met with and provided assistance to 1,049 victims of "Paeng" in Bacoor City and Kawit, Cavite. On the same day, I then proceeded to Taguig City to also lead the relief operation for 185 fire-hit households there.
The following day, I went to Mindanao together with my friend and colleague, Sen. Robin Padilla, to likewise personally aid 1,000 typhoon victims in Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao del Sur; and 1,000 more in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. My team has earlier begun our relief efforts in both provinces, including the provinces of North Cotabato and Cavite, providing support to the typhoon victims
In the same week, my office continued providing aid to more disaster victims, including 1,200 more typhoon-affected residents in Iloilo City and 280 in Zamboanga City; as well as 74 displaced families in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte. Fire victims were also assisted, such as 59 families in Talisay City, Cebu; five more in Valenzuela City; and 43 individuals in Quezon City.
Relief operations were likewise mounted for indigent Filipinos nationwide. Beneficiaries include 1,000 in Obando, Bulacan; 300 in Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur; 3,323 in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental; 1,000 in Palayan, Nueva Ecija; 846 in Sta Maria, Bulacan; and 1,027 in Tabaco City, Albay.
As always, I am committed to continue helping, as much as I can, more disaster victims and our other kababayans in distress throughout the country. I hope that we can all likewise continue doing our best to contribute to the recovery of our nation from the pandemic and other crises while ensuring that no Filipino is left behind.