Mandatory vaccination needed to protect population

MANILA, Philippines — Mandatory vaccination is needed to protect a majority of the Filipino population, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Monday, citing the government’s constitutional mandate to protect the health and welfare of the people.

Galvez, chief implementer of the National Task Force against COVID-19, said the government remained steadfast in advocating mandatory vaccination of citizens, especially those highly vulnerable to the disease.

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.

Galvez said that unvaccinated individuals pose a major health risk to the general population and should therefore be compelled to get the COVID jab.

“Vaccination is critical in protecting and saving the lives of people. Mandatory vaccination is necessary because vaccination has a major effect in our fight against COVID and in our economy and health,” Galvez said.

“We will not pass this pandemic if not all are vaccinated,” he said.

Galvez said that apart from causing severe infection and death among Filipinos, the virus has heavily impacted the business sector, resulting in job losses and weakening of the economy.

He said making vaccination mandatory is “timely” as the Philippines’ vaccine inventory has significantly increased.

Galvez said vaccinated individuals should be considered modern-day heroes, noting the national government aims to encourage more people to be heroes to their families and communities.

“Let us have the national vaccination days coincide with Bonifacio Day on Nov. 30, because we want to send the message that all vaccinated people are also heroes,” Galvez said.

He said the NTF has proposed a three-day National Vaccination Day, which aims to administer at least five million doses. The activity will run from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. – Sheila Crisostomo, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Romina Cabrera