50% of frontliners not willing to get boosters without experts' nod —DOH

Around 5,000 healthcare workers are not willing to get booster shots without a recommendation from experts, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

In a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH conducted a survey on 10,525 respondents from September 15 to September 21.

“Nung tinanong na kayo ba ay magpapa-booster kung walang sapat na ebidensya at hindi nirerekomenda ng ating mga eksperto, bumababa na po ang kanilang sagot to 50%,” Vergeire said.

(When we asked if they are willing to get booster shots without sufficient evidence and recommendation from experts, the answers decreased to 50%.)

“So kung tignan po natin talagang pinaniniwalaan naman po ang science and evidence among our healthcare workers,” she added.

(So if you look at it, our healthcare workers really believe in science and evidence.)

When asked if they are willing to get booster shots with sufficient evidence and recommendation from experts, Vergeire said more than 90% answered in the affirmative.

The Health official previously said that there is no evidence yet proving that booster shots may provide complete protection against COVID-19.

She said the DOH had explained this to healthcare workers and that she believed they reached an understanding.

DOH appeals to health workers

Vergeire also pleaded for understanding from healthcare workers and urged them to refrain from resigning, adding that the DOH is moving for the release of the budget for their benefits.

“‘Yun po ang patuloy nating panawagan sa ating mga kasamang healthcare workers na antay lang po. We are doing everything because with these benefits na accorded naman at kailangan ninyo po,” she said.

(I ask our healthcare workers for more patience. We are doing everything with these benefits that are accorded and needed by you. )

“Nag request na po si Secretary of Health (Francisco Duque)… para ma-release po ‘yung, I think, it’s P2 billion-plus para sa inyong meals, accommodation, and transportation,” she added.

(The Secretary of Health has requested for the release of, I think P2 billion-plus for your meals, accommodation, and transportation.)

She said they have allocated funds for the benefits of healthcare workers under the agency’s budget for 2022.

“Tinitignan na ho natin dito sa ating mga budget na gagawin next year na nakalaan na po talaga ang mga benepisyo hanggang sa dulo ng taon para sa lahat po ng ating healthcare workers,” she said.

(For next year's budget, we ensured that the benefits for the healthcare workers are included until the end of the year.)—AOL, GMA News