Hontiveros alarmed over Delta variant, calls on IATF to accelerate vaccine rollout

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday called on the government to accelerate its current vaccination rate as the more virulent Delta variant wreaks havoc across the globe.

She noted that there are already 13 documented cases of the Delta variant in the country, and according to ealth experts, while this is the most contagious variant yet, fully vaccinated people are at small risk of hospitalization and death.

“May laban ka sa Delta kung bakunado ka. Kaya bilis-bilisan na dapat ang rollout ng mga bakuna. Garantisadong proteksyon yan para sa ating mga kababayan,” Hontiveros said.

“Accelerating our vaccination efforts and avoiding complacency are the top two ways to make sure we are a step ahead of Delta,” the senator said.

“Habang maaga, siguraduhin nating napapalakas natin ang mga Pilipino laban sa Delta. Ngayon pa lang, mag-mass hiring na ng mga vaccinators, magbukas ng mas maraming time slots, at patuloy na itaas ang vaccine confidence sa grassroots. Kung ang mga first world countries nga, napa-third wave ng Delta, tayo pa kaya?,” Hontiveros added.

The senator also called on the Department of Health (DOH) to draw up a more robust plan to protect healthcare workers (HCWs), especially those who were vaccinated with Sinovac.

According to reports, there is growing international concern as medical professionals in Indonesia who were administered with China’s flagship jab contracted Covid-19.

“Magkusa na dapat ang DOH. Nasaan na ang plano para sa mga HCWs na naturukan ng Sinovac? Kahit hindi nila maranasan ang malalang epekto Covid mapipilitan silang lumiban sa trabaho habang nagpapagaling. We cannot afford any more disruptions in our health care system during a pandemic,” Hontiveros said.

She also stressed that the IATF must swiftly respond to the vaccination concerns of local government units amid the rising cases in areas outside Metro Manila.

Just recently, the government secured millions of doses to bring the expected vaccines for delivery to 113 million, she noted.

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