President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the National Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccination Kick-Off Event at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Screencap from RTVM)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. pleaded with the unprotected population to get vaccinated for fear of a pandemic resurgence.
On Wednesday, the President spoke at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City’s bivalent vaccine launch, where 2,500 healthcare personnel were scheduled to get additional Omicron variant inoculation.
“Let this occasion serve as a call to every Filipino to continue doing your part. Get updated on your COVID-19 vaccination to prevent a resurgence, as a means of honoring those who sacrificed their lives during the pandemic. I thus appeal to everyone, especially those who have yet to receive their primary series of vaccinations, to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is not for your own good alone but also for the protection of your families and the general public,” said Marcos during his address.
Marcos also said that vaccination was necessary to be able to work.
“Magpabakuna na po tayo para hindi na tayo magkasakit, makabalik tayo sa trabaho nang mas mabilis, at lahat ng nais nating gawin ay magagawa natin dahil tayo ay ligtas sa sakit,” said Marcos.
(Let us all get vaccinated so we do not get sick so that we can return to work quickly and do everything we want to do because we are safe from illness.)
According to the Department of Health’s latest COVID-19 vaccination update, 79,164,840 people have received their first and second doses against the disease as of March 19.
Meanwhile, almost 400,000 doses of bivalent shots were received from the government of Lithuania earlier in June. The vaccines were designed to battle both the original strain of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.