ANG Probinsyano Party-list Representative Alfred Delos Santos emphasized today that COVID-19 vaccine primary doses and booster shots should remain free of charge for all individuals in the country who wish to receive them.
In response to suggestions that people may be charged for vaccination now that COVID-19 is no longer a global public health emergency and an exit strategy is being formulated, Rep. Delos Santos firmly rejected such proposals.
“Subsidized ang acquisition at storage costs ng mga bakunang iyan kaya marapat lang na manatiling LIBRE pa rin yan kahit pa hindi na global public health emergency ang COVID-19,” the Member of the House Committee on Health said.
The lawmaker pointed out that the acquisition and storage costs of these vaccines are subsidized, which is why it is only fair that they remain free of charge even when the COVID-19 situation transitions from a global public health emergency.
Good News
The Deputy Majority Leader also took the opportunity to share some encouraging news.
According to the weekly bulletins released by the Department of Health (DOH), there have been no recorded COVID-19 deaths in the country since March.
The DOH’s latest report accounted for the six deaths that occurred between February 20 and March 5. Any subsequent reported deaths were those that were belatedly recorded.
“Dagdag pa ang datos na bagaman may kaunting pagtaas sa dami ng severe and critical cases, malayung-malayo ang antas nito sa mga dumaan na buwan ng kalakasan ng COVID,” he explained.
He further highlighted that although there has been a slight increase in the number of severe and critical cases, the figures remain significantly lower compared to the previous months when COVID-19 was at its peak.
“Magandang balita ito dahil nariyan na ang senyales na bagaman fatal pa rin ang severe COVID lalo na sa mga seniors at immunocompromised, lumalabas na matatag na sa pangkalahatan ang depensa ng bansa kontra COVID,” he added.
Rep. Delos Santos emphasized the need for the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to intensify the vaccination drive, especially in areas that are still under Alert Level 2. He called for the collective efforts of provinces, cities, and municipalities to lower their alert levels to Level 1 and ultimately overcome the shadow of the pandemic.
To him, the absence of COVID deaths for over two months signifies the country’s exit from the pandemic. It also indicates that the population immunity resulting from the vaccination campaign has been effective. However, he expressed his concern that the preparations for the exit strategy should have commenced months ago, rather than just now.
Rep. Delos Santos also stressed the urgency of fixing the flawed system for reporting deaths. He urged the Anti-Red Tape Authority to closely examine the matter, as delays in the official reporting and documentation of deaths lead to a chain of further delays, including the processing of death benefits and retirement benefits from various institutions such as employers, the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, and life insurance companies.
According to the lawmaker, only 21.69 million individuals classified under A1, A2, and A3 have received their primary vaccine doses. Out of this figure, only 9.27 million have received their first booster shot, which means approximately 12.42 million people falling under the A1, A2, and A3 categories may still be awaiting their bivalent booster shots.
