Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination still unlikely in next admin

According to an adviser to the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 is still unlikely under the future administration.

“Hindi pa siguro, ‘no? Even mandatory vaccination. Kasi, as of now, experimental pa rin ang ating mga bakuna,” Dr. Ted Herbosa said at the Laging Handa briefing.

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(Maybe not yet. Even mandatory vaccination. Because, as of now, our vaccines are still experimental.)

“In fact, ito nga ang statement ni [Health Secretary Francisco] Duque, no? Kailangan hindi naman tayo mag madali. Very important to analyze ‘yung data. ‘Yung data so kung ano ‘yung naging resulta,” Herbosa added.

(In fact, this is the statement of Secretary Duque. So we don’t need to rush. It’s very important to analyze the data and the results.)

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Meanwhile, Herbosa expects a smooth transition to the incoming administration because not all government employees will be removed.

“So i think it will be a smooth transition kasi hindi naman siguro papalitan lahat ‘yan at ang mapapalitan lang siguro diyan ay yung namununo,” he said.

(So I think it will be a smooth transition because maybe not all of that will be changed, and the only thing that will probably be changed is the leader.)

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Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination still unlikely in next admin

According to Herbosa, the government’s overall response would remain unchanged.

Continuing the present administration’s vaccine campaign, according to Herbosa, will be critical in the first 100 days of the incoming administration.

“Ituloy pa din itong COVID vaccination, ano? Ito ang nag dala sa atin sa sitwasyon na meron tayo ngayon, Alert Level 1. Nakapag-hold tayo ng malawakang national elections because our cases were only 100 plus daily,” he said.

(The COVID vaccination will continue. This brought us to the situation we have now, Alert Level 1. We were able to hold massive national elections because our cases were only 100 plus daily.)

He also expressed optimism that the future administration will meet the government’s goal of vaccinating 90 million people.

“I do hope ma-continue yung target namin na 90 million nung population ay may two doses at meron ding booster yung mga dapat makakuha ng booster. Ito ang pinaka-importante sa first 100 days nung next administration,” he said.

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