With Davao City’s “open policy” where some COVID-19 restrictions, such as social distancing, have been lifted, the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force urged Dabawenyos to get their boosters now to get additional protection against the severity of the disease.
Davao City COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser, during the Bida Bakunado program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday, March 11, said: “Daghan-daghan ta na completely immunized na pero gamay pa lang ang nag pa-booster. I’d like to remind everyone, the public nga importante ang magpa-booster, just like any other routine vaccines sa kabatan-onan, those are vaccines naa gyud sila’y booster doses (We have completely vaccinated a lot already but only a few have availed of the boosters. I’d like to remind everyone that it is important to have a booster shot, just like any other routine vaccine of children that also have booster doses).”
Of the 1,283,963 fully vaccinated Dabawenyos, at least 219,469 or 17.09 percent have received booster jabs as of March 11, 2022.
The City Government of Davao targets to immunize 80 percent of the city’s total population of 1,518,288, which is beyond the 70 percent herd immunity set by the national government.
Dabawenyos who have at least gotten their first doses reached 1,313,085 or 86.48 percent of the 80 percent of the total population.
“Dili enough na completely vaccinated lang mo. Ang booster dose would add more protection sa inyo against COVID-19, especially now na open na tanan. We have an open policy here in Davao because we are trying na mabalik ang normal life na pre-pandemic (It is not enough that you are fully vaccinated. The booster dose would give you more protection against COVID-19, especially now that we have already opened the economy. We have an open policy in Davao because we are trying to restore normal life to its pre-pandemic level),” she said.
Since social distancing has been lifted and only face masks and hand hygiene remain part of the minimum public health standards (MPHS) being implemented in the city, the city health official said the booster will greatly help in protecting people once they get infected with COVID-19.
The city health official added, “Wala na ta’y social distancing because we’re trying to open up and recover economically and through that kinahanglan gyud nato i-open ang atoang mga establishments. Kinahanglan full capacity ang operation sa atong establishments and offices so pinaka-proteksyon nato gyud, isa ang booster dose kasi 85 percent na fully vaccinated. An additional layer of protection na 25-fold is needed plus maka-protect gyud sya against the severity of the disease (We no longer have social distancing because we’re trying to open up and recover economically and through that, we need to open our establishments. There’s a need for the full capacity operation of establishments and offices so the booster would be another protection considering that 85 percent are already fully vaccinated. An additional layer of 25-fold protection is needed plus it can protect against the severity of the disease).” Dr. Schlosser said the low turnout of booster recipients concerns them.
She encouraged the public to grab the opportunity to get booster shots since they can now choose their preferred vaccine brands such as Sinovac, Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca. Dabawenyos, she said, can also choose their vaccination hubs and can do so via walk-in.
“Anything that is very convenient sa atong mga katawhan, ginahatag na nato. Ang atoa nalang gyud muhangyo ta sa katawhan nga kinahanglan gyud sila magpa-booster doses (Anything that would make it convenient for the public, we have already provided. We are reminding the public of the need for them to get their booster doses),” she said.
Drive-thru vaccinations are also available at Crocodile Park and People’s Park. The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, through the Vaccination Cluster, is also set to open weekend vaccinations to cater to those who have work during weekdays. Check out this week’s operational vaccination hubs at the City Government of Davao Facebook page ?https://www.facebook.com/davaocitygov/posts/5243848625666617. CIO
