Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año clarified Friday that the population protection that the 23 cities achieved is not equivalent to herd immunity.
Earlier, it was reported that 23 cities have fully vaccinated 70% of their population or “priority groups.” Año said herd immunity is based on the actual population.
“I would like to correct na hindi pa yan herd immunity kundi population protection dahil more than 70% ng target population (priority groups) are already vaccinated. Herd immunity is based on actual population,” he said.
(I would like to correct that that is not yet herd immunity but population protection because more than 70% of the target population [priority groups] are already vaccinated.)
The DILG chief noted that the Philippines still needs to inoculate people in other local government units to give protection for everyone.
“Just the same, we have to inoculate other areas/LGUs to ensure the protection of everyone. So at least in those 23 cities, protection against COVID and safety of people living there are ensured,” he said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reported the 23 cities may have achieved the desired vaccine coverage. However, they have yet to achieve “absolute protection” from COVID-19.
Population protection different from herd immunity – Año
“In terms of absolute protection, hindi pa rin kasi may mga lugar na mapapasukan pa rin sila from other areas na mababa ang vaccination coverage. So ibig sabihin pwede pa rin sila mahawaan,” Duque said.
(But in terms of absolute protection, it’s not because there are areas that can be visited by individuals from areas with low vaccine coverage, so they can still be infected.)
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said no country had achieved absolute protection against COVID-19.
“By achieving herd immunity in the cities, we reduce the likelihood of infections in other parts of the country. When we achieved herd immunity in NCR, cases across the country began to tumble,” he said.
“The same thing is happening in the provinces when the provincial cities achieved herd immunity. That’s why it’s critical that the DILG monitor the cities because they are the epicenters of infection in their areas,” Malaya added.
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