Officials to fire up public confidence
The lawmaker clarified that the program does not mean that the officials are prioritized but is only meant to boost the public’s morale on the Covid vaccines specially Sinovac
In order to boost public confidence in the newly-arrived Covid-19 vaccines, officials involved in the government response to the Covid-19 pandemic will be at the forefront of the nationwide inoculation program, according to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
In an interview Sunday, Go said no less than vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and testing czar Vince Dizon are set to simultaneously receive a vaccine shot early Monday.
A number of healthcare frontliners as well as an official of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) will also take part in the event which will be held in various locations.
He said that the jabs to be used will come from the 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines donated by China to the Philippines which will be personally welcomed by President Rodrigo Duterte at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.
The inoculation program, he added, will start before the scheduled arrival in the country of the 525, 600 doses of Covid vaccines from British-Swede pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca at 12:50 P.M.
The lawmaker clarified that the program does not mean that the officials are prioritized but is only meant to boost the public’s morale on the Covid vaccines specially Sinovac.
“Just like what I said before, I encouraged Secretary Galvez and Secretary Duque (to be vaccinated) not because they are being prioritized but to show that they trust Sinovac or any vaccine brand that will arrive in the country. Not only Sinovac, not only AstraZeneca,” he said.
The Food and Drug Administration earlier disclosed that the China-made vaccines are not recommended for healthcare workers who are constantly exposed to Covid-19 patients after it merely reported a 50.4 percent efficacy rate among medical workers in Brazil.
Also, it should only be administered to clinically healthy individuals aged 18 to 59 years old.
However, DoH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire clarified that while clinical trials show lower efficacy in preventing mild symptoms, the vaccine is still effective against moderate and severe symptoms. This means it can still effectively reduce morbidity and mortality.
As for the President, Go said they are still waiting for the official recommendation of the Chief Executive’s physician on what vaccine brand will be suitable for him given his old age. He added that they will get the shot together.
No less than vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and testing czar Vince Dizon are set to simultaneously receive a vaccine shot early Monday.
“We will get vaccinated together. We are just awaiting his doctor’s decision on which vaccine is suitable for his health and his age of 76 years old,” he said.
He then encouraged the public to get vaccinated saying that it is the only key for everyone to get back to their old lives.
“Vaccination is the only key, nothing else. What are we waiting for?” he said.
“Let us strengthen the information campaign (and educate people) that vaccines are the only solution in this problem. If there are no vaccines, then we can never go back to our normal lives,” he added.
The vaccine shots, according to Go, will be distributed in various parts of the country including Cebu City and Davao City.