CBCP News

A Catholic bishop stressed that individuals need to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as possible to have a better Christmas than last year. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan expressed hope that more Filipinos will accept the inoculations in order for the country to achieve herd immunity by year end.

"Hopefully, before the month of December, at least 70 percent of the population will already be vaccinated," David, who is also the vice president of the bishops' conference, said over Radio Veritas. "Once we do that, we can already achieve herd immunity before Christmas. Thus, we will be able to celebrate Christmas more meaningfully," he said.

The prelate renewed his call after the city governments of Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas sought more help from the diocese for the vaccine rollout.

"They are asking that the Church mobilize additional doctors, nurses, and other volunteers so that they can speed up the vaccination program rollout," David said. In January, the country's Catholic bishops have offered the church facilities as vaccination sites.

As of June 27, the country has administered more than 10 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, 7.5 million of which were first doses.

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