Duterte urges Muslim, IP leaders to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations

Malacañang on Tuesday clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte wanted Muslim and indigenous peoples' community leaders to convince their constituents to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles made the clarification after President Duterte claimed that Muslim and IP communities were resisting COVID-19 vaccinations.

"When the President mentioned that, it was in the context of emphasizing the influence of local government leaders in convincing their respective constituents to get vaccinated," Nograles said during the Palace briefing when asked to identify Muslim and IP communities resisting vaccination.

"It was made in the context of their culture, and it is the local leaders who have a better understanding of their culture and tradition. They have a big influence in convincing their constituents to get vaccinated," Nograles added.

At least 51 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as the government targets fully vaccinating 77 million by the end of March this year.

Of the 51 million, 6.4 million received their booster shots which experts have encouraged to get to prevent the waning efficacy rate of primary doses of COVID-19 vaccines six months after the last jab. — DVM, GMA News