Concepcion urges gov’t: Require booster cards in enclosed establishments by June

FILE PHOTO: Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship, Secretary Joey Concepcion. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion urged the government on Thursday to require COVID-19 booster cards from people who will enter enclosed establishments starting June.

In a statement, Concepcion said this will provide people enough time to get their booster shots before such cards will be required in select establishments.

“We do not implement it right away. I understand it will take time for them to get the booster, but considering that vaccines are now more accessible, people are free to move around, and we have adequate supply, I think two and a half months, or until June, would be enough time to take the boosters,” he said.

“We need this push. Right now there is no danger. The danger is in the next semester when the waning immunity might be felt already. And this is not counting the possibility that new variants might emerge,” he added.

According to Concepcion, this will speed up booster vaccination in the country and address the nearing expiry of some vaccines in stock.

He also warned of a possible “double whammy” by the second half of the year if the Russia-Ukraine conflict prolongs and affects commodity prices.

Concepcion expressed concern that if the vaccines expire, it might discourage the government from prioritizing vaccinations, considering it has already spent billions of dollars in pandemic response.

He said “our vaccines will not last until the end of the year and we need to encourage Filipinos to do their duty and take their boosters.”

“We need to encourage the incoming administration that, by buying vaccines for the people and the people are willingly taking it, it is not throwing good money after bad by buying vaccines,” the presidential adviser said.

“The private sector can buy its own vaccines, but what about the MSMEs? What about the rest of the population? If there is anything we’ve learned from our more than two years of keeping this pandemic under control, it is that we have to do it together. We can’t leave anyone behind, and we can’t leave anything to chance,” he added.

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JPV