PBBM cites effectiveness of boosters after 2nd bout with Covid-19

MANILA – President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has attributed his mild symptoms and quick recovery from Covid-19 to receiving his booster shot.

In the President's latest vlog titled "BBM VLOG 219: Booster", Marcos gave updates on his health after his second bout with Covid-19 and thanked those who wished for his quick recovery.

"Tapos na ang aking isolation period. Sa awa ng Diyos ay wala na akong sintomas at mabuti-buti na ang aking pakiramdam. Unang-una, ay gusto kong magapsalamat sa lahat ng nagparating ng kanilang pagbati at pangangamusta (My isolation period is over. By the mercy of God, I no longer have symptoms and I feel better. First, I want to thank everyone who sent their greetings and regards)," he said.

Despite testing positive for Covid-19, Marcos said he continued to work in isolation and used teleconferencing programs like Zoom to communicate with his Cabinet members and other officials.

"…Nagpatuloy rin ang ating mga meeting at iba pang mga briefing nitong linggo kahit naka-isolate ako sa pamamagitan ng mga teleconferencing, yung mga Zoom. Mabuti na lang may mga ganyang teknolohiya na ngayon. Isa ito sa mga innovation na pinahusay pa ng pandemiya pero bahagi na rin talaga ng ating new normal. (Even if I had to isolate, we continued to have meetings and briefings this week using teleconferencing like Zoom Fortunately, there are technologies like this now. This is one of the innovations that has been enhanced by the pandemic but is also part of our new normal)," he added.

He encouraged Filipinos to get their Covid-19 booster shots, stressing that his Covid-19 symptoms could have been worse if he did not receive his booster shot.

"Kukunin ko na rin ang pagkakataong ito para ihayag muli ang importansya ng pagbabakuna at lalo na ang mga booster shot. Ito nga ang pangalawang Covid ko na pero ang tingin ko kung hindi dahil sa vaccine at booster shot ay siguradong mas malubha ang naging tama ko (I will also take this opportunity to reiterate the importance of vaccination and especially booster shots. This is my second bout with Covid but I think if it wasn't for the vaccine and booster shot, I would have been worse off)," he said.

Because he had already received his booster, Marcos said he only experienced a slight fever and sore throat. He also said the virus did not damage his lungs.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the government, particularly the Departments of Health, the Interior and Local Government and Education, continue to spearhead information campaigns to convince the public to get their booster shots.

He also noted that getting booster shots is crucial to the resumption of full face-to-face classes and revitalizing the economy.

"Hindi naman talaga kailangan isabatas ito dahil malaya pa rin tayong mamili para sa ating sariling kalusugan. Pero habang tumatagal ay mas lumilinaw ang sinasabi ng siyensa, ang mga datos, at ang mga pag-aaral na ang pagbabakuna ay malaki ang naitutulong para sa ating kaligtasan mula sa Covid-19 (We do not really need legislation that require vaccination because we are free to decide on our health. But as time goes on it becomes clearer what science, the data, and the studies say that vaccination greatly contributes to our survival from Covid-19)," he said.

On July 8, Malacañang announced that Marcos had tested positive for Covid-19.

Marcos was declared free from all symptoms on July 13, the fifth day since he tested positive in an antigen Covid-19 test.

Two days after being free from Covid-19 symptoms, Marcos led the oath-taking of Ambassador Manuel Antonio Teehankee as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization.

His latest public engagement officially ended his mandatory seven-day isolation after acquiring Covid-19. (PNA)