Do not wait for variant-specific jabs; get vaccinated now
Candidates for the next election might also want to include in their political agenda and platform how an effective vaccination program will help our economy return to its pre-pandemic condition
As more countries move to shut borders over fears that the new Covid-19 variant known as Omicron brings a more serious threat, hopes that the pandemic will be over soon has hit a snag.
A few days after the new mutation was detected in South Africa, several nations have begun closing their doors to countries that have contracted the new variant as part of measures to contain Omicron.
Many fear that the new variant may be more contagious and vaccine-resistant than the previous ones, but health experts have said that it was still too early to tell if there will be a need for more stringent measures.
On the local front, the government began barring the entry of people from areas with cases of Omicron to prevent a possible surge in the number of cases, though exceptions have been given to overseas Filipino workers who will have to undergo mandatory quarantine and testing.
Since we cannot guarantee that the Philippines will be spared from this new variant, the unvaccinated individuals should take this as an opportunity to receive their jabs and protect themselves, their families, and their community. Health experts have warned that although the Omicron variant could evade vaccines, it is still best to be protected than not at all.
Recall that this was a similar announcement when the Delta variant entered the country, but with the ramped-up vaccination program, it was proven that vaccination resulted in lower average daily infection rates. Vaccines have the ability to lower the severity of cases, although it does not guarantee individuals to be spared from contracting the virus.
We used to see the number peaking at 20,000 daily or thereabouts but thanks to both the government and the private sector, we are now seeing the average daily rate hovering at around 500. This development should already boost the optimism of unvaccinated individuals and zero in on the benefits of vaccines, not to mention that requirements are now less stringent, and walk-ins are now allowed.
As of this writing, the number of fully vaccinated individuals is already at 36.4 million, but with the Philippines being one of the most populated countries in the world, the 36.4 million only represents a portion of our total population. There is a need for us to beef up the figures for us to achieve our herd immunity goal as soon as possible.
In addition, the government should ramp up the implementation of booster shots so the country can officially kick off with an aggressive booster shot program. We should do this especially for the elderly and those with co-morbidities.
Education and information campaigns to those who lack access to information and those residing outside urban areas also play a very huge role in the fight against Covid-19. The government and other organizations should work hand in hand for a robust campaign program with the end goal of fighting vaccine hesitancy.
Candidates for the next election might also want to include in their political agenda and platform how an effective vaccination program will help our economy return to its pre-pandemic condition.
Since we cannot guarantee that the Philippines will be spared from this new variant, the unvaccinated individuals should take this as an opportunity to receive their jabs and protect themselves, their families, and their community.
As I’ve always said in my previous columns — this is the time for everyone to cooperate if we want to return to our normal life as we face the reality that we need to co-exist with the virus.