Covid-19 manageable in PH due to improved vax program: OCTA

MANILA – The Covid-19 situation in the country has become manageable due to the government’s intensified and more improved vaccination program, OCTA Research fellow, Dr. Guido David said Monday.

David, speaking at the Laging Handa public briefing, cited the country has a “successful” vaccination program.

“Malaking tulong nito (vaccination) sa pagpapabuti ng kalagayan natin sa bansa. Kung hindi dahil dito baka nagla-lockdown pa din tayo (This has contributed to improving the situation in our country. Without this, we might be imposing lockdowns until now),” he said.

The country’s “wall of immunity” has also been improved by the government’s massive vaccination program, he added.

“Kahit magkaroon tayo ng uptick or pagtaas ng kaso, tingin ko mostly mild na lang yung mga kaso (Even if there’s an uptick or spike of cases, I think , it would be mostly mild cases),” David said, urging the remaining unvaccinated population to avail of the Covid-19 vaccine for protection against dreaded disease.

Meanwhile, David said it is still too early to talk about border restrictions in the Philippines amid the emergence of Covid-19 Omicron sub-variants.

“Instead of killing the economy, we shall further intensify the vaccination program and the adherence to health protocols,” he added.

David noted that both measures are the most effective way to balance the economy and further improve public health amid the health crisis.

To date, the Philippines has fully vaccinated a total of 69,310,242 Filipinos nationwide, with 13,833,923 individuals having received booster doses.