The Department of Health in Bicol (DOH-5) continues to encourage unvaccinated individuals, particularly those aged 5 to 17 years old and those eligible for boosters to get inoculated as it extended the 4th National Vaccination Days until Friday.

During a media briefing on Monday, Dr. Monrey Isaiah Mancilla, DOH-5 vaccination program coordinator, also reminded the public not to be complacent against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“Hindi pa natin ‘to nakikita sa Pilipinas yung panibagong surge pero maaari itong mangyari. So, paano natin ‘to mapi-prevent, magpabakuna na po, magpa-booster na po habang mayroon pa tayong pagkakataon na makapagpabakuna at makapagpa-booster (We have not yet seen another surge in the Philippine but it is possible to happen again. So, how can we avoid this, [by] getting vaccinated [and] boosted while we still have a chance to get vaccinated and boosted),” Mancilla said.

He also highlighted the importance of booster shots as an additional level of protection against Covid-19.

“The decrease of Covid-19 cases is because many individuals are already vaccinated. However, we have not yet reached the target level of coverage [vaccination rate] for us to be complacent,” Mancilla also said in the local language.

Likewise, DOH-5 is reminding the public to disseminate factual and accurate information about the vaccines to prevent disinformation which causes hesitancy among people.

“Sana po ay madami po tayo na magkalat ng tamang balita, mag-advocate ng pagbabakuna. (I hope more individuals will disseminate correct information and advocate vaccination),” Mancilla said. (PNA)