MANILA -- President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday received his second booster dose as he rallied public support for the government’s COVID-19 booster rollout, stressing its importance in opening up the economy and preventing crippling lockdowns.

Speaking during the launch of the PinasLakas Vaccination Campaign at SM City Manila, President Marcos highlighted the importance of getting people boosted against COVID-19, noting the threats posed by the virus as immunity wanes and as more contagious variants emerge.

“I have come here today to highlight the importance of having the booster shot, to show everyone it is safe, it is effective, and it is needed,” said Marcos, who attended a similar launching of the immunization drive in Pasig City two weeks ago. 

He stressed that he could not overstate the importance of having the people boosted as one of the major steps in addressing various problems confronting the nation and hasten economic recovery. 

“With us trying to open the economy, trying to open the schools, trying to bring everything back to a normal situation, sa dami ng hinaharap nating problema, to bring back a normal situation, the booster will play an important (role) in bringing us back to that condition,” added the chief executive, who received his shot together with his son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos.

In a bid to combat new COVID-19 variants, the President said the government would look into newly developed vaccines for their possible use in the country.

“I was just told by Usec. Vergeire, mukha namang mayroon nang ilalabas na vaccine para dito sa mga bagong variant ng Omicron. Kaya’t pag-aaralan natin and if it is going to be helpful ay gagawin natin ang lahat para madala rito sa Pilipinas para mabigay natin sa lahat ng kailangan magkaroon ng booster shot,” he said.

He also thanked the country’s health workers for their sacrifices in the country’s fight against COVID-19. 

At the same time, the President cited the role of local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of the vaccination drive. 

To date, more than 18,900 PinasLakas vaccination sites have been launched nationwide, which include areas such as markets, schools, workplaces, terminals, places of worship, and mobile vaccination sites. (PND)