Catholic Church leaders in the Philippines entrusted to the Blessed Virgin Mary the upcoming national vaccination days in the country to better protect the people against the coronavirus disease.
The Episcopal Commission on Health Care of the bishops’ conference said it entrusts the vaccination drive set from November 29 to December 1 “to the intercession of Our Lady, Health of the Sick, ever our guide and advocate.”
“May her motherly care be felt by those afflicted with illness and disease and her support be experienced by those involved in the ministry to the sick,” said Bishop Rex Ramirez, chairman of the commission, in a pastoral letter.
The health care ministry renewed its support to the nationwide rollout of COVID-19 vaccines by offering church facilities as venues, while encouraging Catholics to participate in the vaccination drive.
Bishop Ramirez said the Church is one in the government’s desire to see the success of the program by offering church spaces as additional vaccination sites.
The bishop also encouraged church workers to volunteer for vaccination activities in their respective parishes.
“(Let us help) promote COVID-19 vaccination in our communities with proper, evidenced-based vaccination facts; and in encouraging others to avail of the COVID-19 vaccines in designated areas,” he said.
The government is targeting to inoculate at least 15 million Filipinos aged 12 years old and above during the three-day vaccination drive.
The Philippines has already administered 76,522,732 doses of coronavirus vaccines, with 33,847,741 Filipinos now with full protection against the disease, indicated government data this week.
Latest data from the National COVID-19 vaccination dashboard showed 907,917 doses were administered on Monday, bringing the average daily vaccination rate in the last seven days to 834,994 doses.
The government has earlier committed to fully inoculate at least 54 million Filipinos within this year and up to 70 million early next year to achieve population protection. – with a report from the Philippine News Agency
