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Make COVID-19 shot part of gov’t vaccination program –infectious disease expert
By GMA Integrated NewsThe COVID-19 vaccination should be part of the government’s inoculation program to boost the protection of Filipinos against the infection, an infectious disease expert said on a “24 Oras” report by Lei Alviz.
Dr. Rontgene Solante, a member of the Department of Health (DOH) technical advisory group, said that although the World Health Organization (WHO) no longer considers COVID-19 a global health emergency, it remains “an important health issue.”
"The Department of Health should make COVID vaccination a part of the vaccination or the regular vaccination program, incorporate it in the regular vaccination policy,” Solante said.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, chairperson of the Metro Manila Council, said the public would benefit more if the COVID shots will be given free.
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The DOH is seeing a rise in the COVID-19 cases the past few weeks.
DOH data culled by GMA Integrated News Research showed that from May 1 to 7, there were 1,352 average daily reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide.
This represents over 100 percent increase compared to the daily average reported the preceding week.
The DOH said it would meet with the members of the inter-agency task force on emerging infectious disease to reassess its policies following the declaration of WHO.
Dr. Edsel Salvana, infectious disease expert, pointed out the need to review the remaining COVID-19 restrictions.
“Ang kailangan lang natin gawin ay i-review ang natitirang restrictions at kung kailangan pa ba natin ito. … kasi kahit papaano may impact pa din yun sa ating mga buhay. Gusto natin full blast na ang ating ekonomiya. Kailangan i-adjust yung policies para di ganun ka-disruptive,” he said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News