Through massive info drive

AS the Department of Health (DOH) is set to vaccinate teenagers aged 12 to 17 against COVID-19, Presidential aspirant and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is urging the government to do more information campaign drives on their vaccination program in order to assure parents that the vaccines are safe.

“Yung information drive na kailangan gawin ng ating pamahalaan ay dapat maipaliwanag ulit na yung bakuna ay kailangan na kailangan natin at yung mga binibigay na vaccine ay lahat safe,” Marcos said.

Citing the Dengvaxia incident, Marcos said this became one of the reasons for vaccine hesitancy among parents as many children suffered because of the said dengue vaccine.

Due to this, the Presidential aspirant believes that an effective information campaign must be done not only to convince the parents but also those who are still hesitant to receive the vaccine.

“Naapektuhan ang vaccination dahil sa Dengvaxia dahil maraming nasaktan na mga bata kaya yung mga magulang nag-aalangan. Yun ang kailangan na maipaliwanag natin, na mabuti at ligtas ang mga bakuna,” he said.

“Lahat ng vaccines ay na-test at milyon na ang nakatanggap niyan. Napakaliit na numero lang ang nagkaroon ng side effect kaya malaking malaking advantage ang magpabakuna,” he added.

Last September, the DOH confirmed that pediatric vaccination will start among 12 to 17 year olds with comorbidities as part of Priority Group A3.

Expansion beyond this group will follow once adequate coverage of the A2 priority group or senior citizens has been achieved nationwide and vaccine supply becomes sufficient to include children.

Marcos earlier urged the local government units (LGUs) to bring the vaccines to far-flung areas and to those who are having a hard time accessing the vaccination centers.

In order for the country to reach the expected herd immunity, he also encouraged the business sector to provide incentives to employers and consumers who are already vaccinated against the COVID-19.

“Kailangan na kailangan itong vaccine, kailangan ipaliwanag at kailangan maging madali ang pag-vaccine. Lahat ng paraan para dumami magpa-vaccine gawin dahil importante talagang mabakunahan ang ating mga kababayan,” Marcos said.