Duterte urges public to get COVID-19 booster shots ahead of May 9 polls

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Screengrab from PCOO video / Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday urged the public to get their COVID-19 booster shots ahead of the elections on May 9.

This is to protect them when they cast their vote, saying crowding and congregating is expected during election time.

“‘Yung booster shots ninyo, it’s still available and anybody can have it because it’s election time. There will be crowding again and congregating so it’s good to have your booster before you go out to the crowd,” he said in his taped public address.

Duterte also urged the public not to be complacent against COVID-19 to avoid another surge of infections.

“Complacency is really the enemy of preventing again and allowing the COVID-19 to come back. Sabagay, this would not be as serios as before, kasi bakunado tayo,” he said.

READ: Listen to Duque: Get COVID-19 booster shots – Duterte

As of May 1, 14.2 million individuals have received their booster shots, according to the Department of Health’s COVID-19 vaccination dashboard.

This is still a far cry from the 67.9 million individuals who have completed their primary doses of the vaccine.

EDV