By Senator Francis 'Tol Tolentino

Just when the world thought Covid-19 was over, we now fear the resurgence of this deadly virus which took millions of lives worldwide, crippled world economy and halted the people’s lives. In the Philippines, in the first week of May 2023 alone, the Department of Health declared 9,465 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, with a recorded daily average case of 1,352 – 112% higher than the cases reported at the end of April 2023. Worldwide, over 2.8 million new cases have been reported and death tolls due to Covid-19 infection increase every day. We begin to wonder now if the Philippine Health System is ready and resilient enough to weather, may God forbid, another Covid-19 storm.

More than three years since the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, global health measures against the virus have radically improved with scientific knowledge and medical breakthroughs paving the way for the development of more potent antidotes to the deadly coronavirus. World governments have been relentless in the campaign for anti-Covid vaccination as this is the surest way to increase resistance and reduce the fatal effects of the disease. According to the Covid-19 Vaccination Insights Report dated 24 April 2023, 13.3 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered globally. The same report stated that 187 states out of the 194 members of the World health Organization (WHO) have started administering additional doses or boosters for their citizens. In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 179, 046, 746 anti-Covid shots administered to the population, while booster doses are at 24, 178, 325.

While the usual minimum public health standards recommended by health professionals help protect us from Covid-19, the increased immunity that booster shots tag along gives greater shield and guarantee from being infected with the coronavirus. Additional vaccines after the anti-Covid primary series, or the first two doses, are essential in the sustained management and immunity of the population, especially the more vulnerable members such as children, the elderly, and those considered with multiple chronic medical conditions. While it is the duty of the government to widen the people’s understanding, appreciation and access to vaccination against Covid-19, it is similarly the duty of the people to protect themselves and their loved ones and consent to be immunized. The Covid-19 pandemic caught the world in shock and exposed humanity’s vulnerability. In the face of an impending resurgence, we can only hope that the world has learned enough in the long, dark and uncertain Covid-19 pandemic journey we shared. (Sponsored content)