FILE PHOTO: A man receives a shot against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in this photo taken on January 5, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman
MANILA, Philippines — Only 23 percent of Filipinos do not want to get a COVID-19 booster shot, according to independent analytics group Octa Research on Thursday.
Citing results of their survey conducted on April 22 and 25, Octa Research fellow Ranjit Rye said that more than 70 percent of Filipinos are willing to get a booster dose against the coronavirus disease.
“Sa willingness na magpa-booster, alam mo mataas (The willingness to get a booster is high), nasa (around) seven out of 10 Filipinos. More than 70 percent of adult Filipinos who had taken the vaccine ay (are) willing ho magpa-booster (to get a booster shot),” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.
“Napakaliit lang po ng ano—hindi naman napakaliit, minority lang ho ang ayaw magpa-booster o nasa 23 percent,” he added.
(Those who do not want to receive a booster are only a minority of 23 percent.)
Rye noted that those who prefer to forego a booster shot were worrying about the vaccine’s safety or do not see the need for a third dose.
“So, 53 percent ng 23 percent ng minority na ayaw magpa-booster, ang sinasabi nila ‘yung kung ligtas ang booster,” Rye said.
(So, 53 percent of the 23 percent minority who do not want to get a booster, were citing safety reasons.)
“Marami sa ating mga kababayan, something like 35 percent, ang naniniwala na hindi na kailangan ‘yung booster shots,” he continued.
(Many of our fellow Filipinos, something like 35 percent, believe that booster shots are not needed.)
According to Rye, there is a need to inform and educate the public on the importance of a booster shot against the coronavirus disease.
As of May 1, the government has fully vaccinated 67.9 million people against COVID-19. Of the total, only 13.2 million received their booster dose.
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