Pinaalalahanan ng Department of Health ang publiko na maaaring pa rin tamaan ng coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ang mga fully vaccinated na indibidwal.

“Vaccination provides us with additional protection from severe COVID-19, so with a high vaccination rate, we are more likely to decongest hospitals. However, being fully-vaccinated does not mean zero transmission. Even if we are fully-vaccinated, we can still get infected and infect others with COVID-19,” ayon kay DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire nitong Huwebes, Nobyembre 11.

Binigyan-diin din ni Vergeire na hindi ito ang tamang panahon para makampante.

“We would like to remind the public that COVID-19 is still here. We cannot set aside the risk of cases increasing when mobility increases and compliance to safety protocols decreases,” aniya.

“We remind everyone to be mindful and considerate of other regions, especially with the need to increase our vaccine coverage nationally among senior citizens and those with underlying conditions,” dagdag pa niya.“As of now, we have fully vaccinated 4.9 million senior citizens and 7.6 million persons with underlying conditions. Let us work together to help the country recover as one."

Ginawa ni Vergeire ang pahayag bilang tugon sa mga pahayag ni Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion tungkol sa mga nabakunahan indibidwal sa isang media forum na pinangunahan ng OCTA Research Group nitong Huwebes.

“Let’s take a more aggressive role in really vaccinating our citizens, especially in the provincial areas. And if we are able to do that, then if cases do go up—but who cares if cases do go up? provided those that are being infected are fully vaccinated because it will prevent hospitalization. And that is very clear,” ani Concepcion

“When we say ‘cases are going up to 1,000 to 2,000 let’s lockdown’–let’s hold back, who are those getting infected? If it is the unvaccinated, yes, then we should be concerned. But if it is the vaccinated that are getting infected, then let’s not be concerned about it. Of course, there may be some risk that they may land in the hospital— but a greater percentage, 70 to 80 percent of them, will just get well at home,” dagdag pa niya.

Analou de Vera