Citizens told anew to get vaccinated

THE NATIONAL government has renewed calls for citizens to get vaccinated against Covid-19 following the spike in fresh cases across the country due to the Omicron variant which is more contagious than the Delta variant.

Acting Presidential Spokesman Karlo Nograles also underscored the importance of booster doses as additional protection against severe and critical Covid-19 cases.

Mismong si Pangulong Duterte ang nagbigay-diin noong Disyembre hinggil sa halaga ng booster shots, lalo na para sa pagkontrol ng pagkalat ng nakakahawang Omicron variant,” Nograles said, citing reports by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, Nograles emphasized that based on the information from medical experts, vaccine efficacy decreases over time that is why booster shots are a necessary protection against the deadly respiratory disease.

“Kaya kailangan natin ng Covid-19 booster shots. Proteksyon din ang booster shots laban sa umuusbong na bagong variants, lalo na laban sa Omicron variant na mabilis makahawa,” he said.

Nograles said the national government is targeting to administer 72.16 million boosters for the adult population this year as part of the National Vaccination Program. He said included in the target population for vaccination are 12.74 million children ages 12 to 17 years old, and 15.56 million children ages five to 11 years old who will receive the primary series vaccines and booster shots.

The Philippines has so far vaccinated at least 50% of the population.

Dr. Lulu Bravo, Convenor of the Vaccine Study Group of the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health, said a third shot of a COVID-19 vaccine may have long-lasting benefits, especially against the Omicron variant.

Bravo, also the Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, citing a study, said the two vaccine shots are around 30% effective against Covid-19 infections and symptomatic infections and 50% effective against severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

But she said that three shots or two doses plus a booster dose are 60% effective against infections and symptomatic infections, while it is 90% effective until two months and 80% effective at three months. (Mark Navales contributed to this report.)