Gov Eugenio Jose Lacson said personally he will continue to wear a face mask even if he has already received his booster shots.*
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Thursday, July 28, that he is seeking the help of the Negros Occidental mayors to encourage more Negrenses to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with the Department of Health having expanded the coverage of those who can avail of their second booster shots.
The governor also said he prefers that the use of face masks remains mandatory, as COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in countries where they were no longer used.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday announced that it has expanded the coverage of the second COVID-19 vaccine booster to adults at least 50 years old and above and those aged 18 to 49 with existing medical conditions.
The second booster shots previously only covered those 60 years and above, and those with comorbidities.
The second booster may be availed of four months after the first, the DOH said.
Lacson said he will tap the help of the Negros Association of Chief Executives through its president, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, to encourage the mayors to push for booster shots and the first two doses for those who have not availed of the COVID-19 vaccines yet.
“I am believer that vaccines help to bring down the (COVID-19) cases,” Lacson said.
Benitez on Wednesday said he will call on the mayors to ramp up their COVID-19 booster and anti-dengue drives.
The DOH has launched a stronger nationwide booster vaccination campaign dubbed “PinasLakas”, which aims to increase the number of Filipinos who have been given COVID-19 booster shots, to help maintain the country’s wall of immunity.
“We will always cooperate with the programs of the Department of Health, in this case the booster shots and obviously it needs the cooperation of all the LGUs,” Lacson said.
“Obviously having booster shots will provide additional protection,” he said.
Negros Occidental has so far vaccinated 75.88 percent of its target population with the first two COVID-19 vaccine doses, and 59.81 percent of its target seniors, the Department of Health reported Monday.
“We’re almost there but we are already talking booster so in effect we are still behind,” Lacson said.
The province is still lagging behind as far as booster shots, he pointed out.
Asked if he favors a DOH plan to make wearing face masks optional once the number of booster shots administered reach the so-called wall of immunity, Lacson said personally he will continue to wear a face mask even if he has already received his booster shots.
“I suppose that idea of making face masks optional is also based on science,” he said.
However, he said countries like Australia and the United States where they stopped wearing face masks are again experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases.
“If I have my way I will not make it optional but the directive from above will supersede my directive”, he said.*