QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- Amid the reported rising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, the government is planning to revive the massive vaccination drive against the virus, especially among the youth.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, en route to the United States for his official state visit, emphasized the need to implement a vaccination push to prevent the spread of the virus.

“But it looks like, we will have to conduct again, especially for young people, we’ll have to conduct again a vaccination push para mabawasan na ‘yan, para mabawasan ‘yan especially with people being a little bit, shall we say, nahihirapan na nga eh dahil sa init, that brings down --- humihina ang katawan and that will make them more vulnerable to COVID again,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the government is yet to evaluate if there’s a need to implement the mandatory face mask for the public.

“So, we’ll look at it. Tingnan natin kung may guidance ang IATF, may guidance ang DOH. I think --- I hope we don’t have to but we might but I hope not,” he said.

As of the moment, the Department of Health has an ongoing campaign tagged #ChikitingLigtas promoting immunization against polio, rubella, and measles among babies. Parents can bring their children to the nearest health center for free vaccination and protect them from diseases.

Affordable and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos is among the priority agendas of the Marcos administration. (KSAA – PIA CPSD)

Photo: APB/PIA Lanao del Sur