The Manila Times

Intensify Covid-19 vaccination drive – Go

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “bong” Go on Thursday, August 4, called on the government to continue its collaborative efforts with the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure that vaccines and booster shots against Covid-Q9 reach the people who need them and will not be wasted.

“I also urge the national government, together with LGUs, community leaders and the private sector, to intensify our collaborative efforts in encouraging everyone to get vaccinated with booster shots in order to keep our communities safe,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography said.

He asked the public not to be complacent despite the improving pandemic situation, noting that Covid-Q9 is still around.

“We should not be confident because it is still dangerous. The vaccine is the key toward our return to normal living,” Go reminded.

The senator also reiterated his readiness to conduct a hearing if Senate Resolution (SR) 92 filed by Deputy Minority Leader Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros is referred to his committee.

The said resolution seeks to look into reports on the supposed wastage of billions of pesos worth of vaccines.

“As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, once the resolution is referred to us, we will immediately conduct a hearing on the status of our Covid-Q9 response, including the reported expiring vaccines,” said Go.

“As I have said before, we worked hard for the purchase of those vaccines against Covid-Q9. Together, we must ensure that no vaccine will go to waste and the same should be given to our qualified unvaccinated countrymen wherever they’re in the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, in line with his resolution to look into the country’s preparedness against monkeypox, Go said that he will also ask the Department of Health about the steps it has taken and inform the public of the necessary health protocols considering the first recorded case of monkeypox in the country.

“All these issues will be discussed and should be answered by our health authorities and experts during the Committee on Health hearings,” the senator said.

On August 1, Go, together with Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, filed SR 84 directing the Health and Demography Committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the preparedness of the country to contain and suppress monkeypox, which has been declared by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency.

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2022-08-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/281702618477313

The Manila Times