Filipinos should keep practicing minimum health standards to thwart the spread of COVID-19 even as the future rollout of vaccines brings hope for an end to the pandemic, the Department of Health said.
Through handwashing, physical distancing and wearing of face masks and shields, Filipinos can act as "vaccines" in their communities, said Health Usec. Rosario Vergeire.
"Batid po natin na ang balita sa bakuna ay may dalang pag-asa ngunit iwasan po natin na umasa lamang sa bakuna. May kakayanan po tayo na maging bakuna sa ating komunidad by complying with the minimum public health standards," she said.
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Malacanang hopes to roll out its vaccination drive as early as March with several vaccine candidates under evaluation.
Members of the Presidential Security Group who are guarding President Rodrigo Duterte were the first to receive a vaccine, though unauthorized by the Food and Drug Administration. The drug was from China's Sinopharm.
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