The government remains steadfast in its plan to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory, saying it will protect the people, especially those who are highly vulnerable to the disease.
National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said mandatory jabs are needed to protect the majority of the population.
He said the government’s constitutional mandate to protect the health and welfare of the people should be the basis for the implementation of mandatory vaccination in the country.
The vaccine czar pointed out that unvaccinated individuals pose a major health risk to the general population and should therefore be compelled to get the COVID-19 jab.
“Vaccination is critical in protecting and saving the lives of people. Mandatory vaccination is necessary because this will have a huge impact on our economy and our health,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“We can’t get through this pandemic if we don’t all get vaccinated,” he added.
He also said mandatory vaccination would be timely, as the country’s vaccine inventory has significantly increased.
As of Nov. 8, the Philippines has received 113,451,500 COVID 19 vaccine doses, which include the latest shipment of more than 2.8 million doses of Sputnik V jabs.
President Rodrigo Duterte personally welcomed the arrival of the biggest shipment of Russian-made vaccine at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.
The latest shipment, according to Duterte, is a testament of Russia’s strong commitment to help countries such as the Philippine have greater access to these vaccines.
“Let me express my gratitude to the Russian government for the continued supply of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines,” the President said.
The shipment, the biggest delivery so far made by the Russian-based Gamaleya Research Institute, was composed of 1.4 million doses of Sputnik V’s Component I and 1.4 million doses of Component II.
The Chief Executive acknowledged the concerted efforts of the NTF, Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs, and other institutional partners in ensuring the steady arrival of vaccine supplies in the country.
The President said that addressing the challenges caused by the pandemic is everyone’s concern, as he appealed to all Filipinos to strictly follow health protocols and get the COVID-19 jab.
“I appeal to all our kababayans to cooperate and do their part to help overcome this pandemic. The government cannot do this alone and we need your active participation by getting vaccinated and strictly following minimum health standards,” he said.
“Let us work together to put an end to this disease and its harmful effects to our people and the economy for nearly two years now. Rest assured that this administration is committed to securing safe and effective vaccines for all Filipinos,” the President added.
Galvez noted the latest vaccine delivery brings the country closer to completing the procurement contract with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
“The fund has already delivered 7.19 million vaccine doses out of the 10 million doses the Philippine government has procured,” Galvez said.
For his part, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov reaffirmed his country’s continued support to the Philippine’s efforts to put an end to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said local government leaders, particularly provincial governors, have expressed willingness to expedite the government’s vaccination program.
Año said meetings with local government chief executives to speed up the vaccination have been fruitful.
