Bong Go urges gov’t to intensify vax campaign

Despite the country's success in acquiring sufficient vaccine supply over the recent years, Sen. Bong Go said that more needs to be done to reach areas with low vaccination rates and prevent vaccines from being wasted.

In an interview on Monday, 21 November, Go persisted in urging Filipinos to get their COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots in order to prevent vaccine wastage, especially since both the public and private sectors had to spend money to acquire them. Some vaccines have also been received through donations.

"Malaking aksaya po ito hindi lang sa pera ng gobyerno pati rin po sa pribadong sektor na bumili o mga nag-donate," said Go.

"Noong panahon na nangailangan tayo ng bakuna, nagmamadali ang gobyerno. Kulang ang supply at naniguro tayong walang shortage ng bakuna, ngayon sumobra dahil ang iba po ay ayaw nang magpabakuna," he lamented.

According to the Department of Health, 165,516,940 vaccines have been administered in the country as of November 17. A total of 73,689,489 Filipinos have been fully vaccinated, with an additional 20,833,720 vaccines administered as booster shots.

However, the health department also reported that PhP15.6 billion worth of 31 million unused COVID-19 shots were wasted. Roughly 24 million doses never got used due to short shelf life according to the DOH.

"Nasa 26% lang po ang ating (booster) vaccination rate sa first dose at 4% sa second dose (ng booster shot as of November 1)," said Go, as he urged the government to further intensify its vaccination efforts.

"Kaya paigtingin pa natin ang pagpapabakuna. Suyurin natin para hindi masayang. Kesa naman ma-expire, suyurin na po natin (ang mga komunidad)," he added.