Sotto urges public not to pass up opportunity to get COVID-19 vaccine

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday urged the public not to pass up an opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Sotto made the appeal as the country entered its first year on lockdown amid the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When the vaccines are available for distribution, don’t pass on the opportunity, get vaccinated. Let us be proactive in addressing the pandemic. You need to protect yourselves," Sotto said in a statement.

"And of course, let us not forget the basics – wear face masks and shields when in public places, observe social distancing and personal hygiene," he added.

Sotto said that although the government had taken all the necessary actions to address the pandemic, "a lot remains to be done."

"Cases are again at an uptick. Our hospitals are again swamped with patients. Our medical heroes are again up on their feet 24 hours, seven days, and the lines of sick people are still getting longer. Our situation has again become worrisome," he said.

The Senate leader called on the public to be more mindful in going out of their homes that could endanger the health of their families.

"Now more than ever in the past 12 months, it is safer to stay home and protect ourselves from catching the virus," he said.

"Together we stand in the fight against Covid but if we fail, recovery will be an uphill climb. We will see through this health crisis if we stay disciplined, cooperative and continue to work hand in hand," he added.

The Philippines began its COVID-19 vaccination program on March 1 after the arrival of 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines, which was immediately followed by 487,000 doses of vaccines from AstraZeneca.

On March 7, another batch of 38,400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in the country.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday said 90% of the vaccines that have been delivered to the Philippines had been distributed.

He added that the current pace of vaccinations would improve once the national COVID-19 vaccination program was in full swing. — DVM, GMA News