MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday expressed concern over the estimated 1.5 million senior citizens who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 some 10 months after the government rolled out its mass immunization drive.
This leaves a significant portion of the most vulnerable citizens still without protection against the coronavirus, which could threaten hospital capacity.
Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles noted that senior citizens face higher risks if they get infected.
“It bears stressing that our senior citizens are the most vulnerable to the risks posed by severe and critical COVID-19,” Nograles said in a press briefing.
The number of unvaccinated seniors could fill up hospitals, he said. “For perspective, this 1.5 million could fill up our hospitals if they get COVID-19,” he said.