The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said patients who have previously recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) must still get vaccination for the virus.

“Kahit tayo ay nagkaroon na ng sakit dati ng Covid-19, tayo ay kailangan pa rin magpabakuna (Even if you already got sick from Covid-19 and recovered, you still need to get the Covid-19 vaccine),” Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa Public Briefing.

Vergeire said global health experts and the World Health Organization (WHO) have raised the possibility of recovered patients getting reinfected by Covid-19, “so we advised them to receive the vaccines still.”

Based on the National Immunization Program, the technical advisory group said coronavirus recoveries can have the vaccination “three months from the time they had acquired the Covid-19 disease.”

Meanwhile, to ensure the widest coverage by its vaccination program, the DOH cited that they have created vaccine operation centers in all of its regional offices.

The health department added that they have downloaded readiness assessment tools for the local government units to assess the gaps in the immunization program early.

The DOH is currently doing townhall meetings and visits to various local government units with Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd, Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, and representatives from other government agencies involved.

The government is aiming to start the national Covid-19 vaccination drive rolled out next month.