WHO exec to 2022 bets: Become COVID-19 vaccine advocates

The World Health Organization's (WHO) representative in the Philippines on Friday urged candidates in the 2022 elections to set good example in following minimum health standards and to advocate for COVID-19 vaccines.

In a television interview, WHO representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the public needs to be "very, very careful" amid the threat of the more transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

"I wish every candidate will become an example and wears their masks and tries to maintain physical distancing. I know when campaigning that's not easy," Abeyasinghe told ANC.

"I wish that every candidate will advocate for people to go and get their vaccine as early as possible."

With vaccine supply now sufficient in the Philippines, the WHO official said the time is right for the candidates to "come together" and advocate vaccination regardless of political ideology.

"This is putting the national interest ahead of you, over political interest," Abeyasinghe said.

Latest government data show that at least 37.8 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Duterte administration is confident of reaching the target of fully vaccinating 54 million by the end of the year. 

The official made the appeal amid social media videos showing crowds in events held by aspirants, particularly those running for national positions.  —KBK, GMA News