No jab, no entry: Pidi Barzaga wants to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for Pinoys

By Billy Begas

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., has filed a measure seeking to make COVID-19 immunization mandatory to all suitable Filipinos.

Barzaga said that vaccination has been widely accepted as an important key to stop the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Several studies have been conducted and found that there is a significant decrease in the rates of infection and the severity of symptoms among vaccinated populations,” Barzaga said in the explanatory note of House Bill 9252.

In a study in the United Kingdom, 373,402 people who were swabbed found that three weeks after one dose of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca jab, symptomatic infections fell by 74% and infections without symptoms by 57%. By two doses, asymptomatic infections were down 70% and symptomatic by 90%.

“It comes as infections continue to fall in Britain, dropping 7% in a week despite the reopening of schools and shops, infections continue to decrease in the UK. Deaths have also fallen by 26% and admission by 19% over the last seven days,” Barzaga added.

In the Philippines, Barzaga said the hesitancy to be vaccinated remains high based on surveys.

To address the hesitancy, Barzaga said there is a need to enact legislation “to mandate and promote COVID-19 vaccination” and “instill public confidence in the personal, family and community benefits of immunization.”

“It will be tragic if we have safe and effective vaccines available but people who are eligible to get the vaccination as determined by the DOH (Department of Health),” said Barzaga, president of the National Unity Party (NUP).

Under the measure, no persons shall be allowed to enter, convene, or occupy public places, whether or not government or privately owned if he or she has not been inoculated.

Persons with medical conditions certified by a doctor may be exempted from getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)