PRESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte made a renewed call to unvaccinated Filipinos to get COVID-19 shot, saying massive vaccination is the only way to return to normalcy.
“I am pleading to you, in behalf of government na mahinto na sana itong COVID. And the only way to do it is if most or not all Filipinos are vaccinated,” President Duterte said in a meeting on government’s COVID-19 interventions.
According to the President, people’s refusal to get the jab, whether it’s because of a belief or mere indifference, only exacerbates the health crisis that has gripped the world in the past two years.
“Wala pa tayo diyan sa herd immunity. Do not… The COVID is here and it can afflict everybody. No one is still safe. You have to avoid, wear a mask, and listen to what government says,” he said.
“Paulit-ulit ako nakikiusap sa mga tao na ‘yun naman sanang hanggang ngayon hindi pa nabakuna, huwag nilang pahirapan ang sarili nila balang araw, mga anak, and your neighbors of contaminating them pagka tinamaan kayo,” he stressed.
President Duterte assured Filipinos that there’s nothing to be afraid of regarding the safety of coronavirus vaccines as these have been scientifically proven to be effective in reducing infections, severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
“Maniwala na lang kayo sa gobyerno tutal ito ang hinihingi namin. Malibre tayong lahat. Someday, COVID-free talaga tayo, lalo na if most of the people are vaccinated,” he noted.
