Duterte adviser proposes to require booster card by June

MANILA – Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion is proposing to require a card for booster shots starting June this year to ensure that fully vaccinated Filipinos will get their third dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine.

Concepcion made the statement as it was observed by the Department of Health that there is a low follow up among Filipinos to get their booster shot against Covid-19.

Government data show that 11.8 million individuals out of more than 65 million people who completed their primary Covid-19 doses have received their booster shot.

“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,” said Concepcion, who is also the Go Negosyo founder.

Concepcion said Filipinos have yet to see the urgency of taking the booster shot.

Health experts are encouraging fully vaccinated Filipinos to get the next jab, as the efficacy of the primary doses wanes between four to six months after completing the initial shots.

“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 said.

Concepcion added that with the increased mobility, especially during the campaign period, Filipinos need that extra protection to avoid getting severe and critical Covid-19 cases.

He said it could be a “double whammy” if the country would have another surge in cases since the impacts of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and higher commodity prices are expected to persist even in the next half of the year.

He added that accelerating vaccine administration will also avoid wastage of procured jabs.

Citing data from the government, the country has 27 million Covid-19 jabs inventory, Concepcion 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,” he said.