Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., Chief Implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 and Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity. Image from the PCOO Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The country鈥檚 vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. expressed willingness to receive the first COVID-19 vaccine to arrive in the country, even if it will be the one developed by China鈥檚 Sinovac.
鈥淪a akin nga po kung ano ang mauna na vaccine, I will volunteer na I will be the first one to take it to show to the public na talagang very safe yung mga vaccine na kinukuha natin,鈥� Galvez said Tuesday in an interview over ABS-CBN 黑料社 Channel.
(For me, whichever vaccine arrives first, I will volunteer to be the first one to take it to show the public that the vaccines we鈥檙e getting are safe.)
鈥淥po, ganun po ang gagawin natin. Pakikita po natin na napaka-safe po yan. 鈥榊ung aming mga vaccine expert panel, talagang sabi po, isa ang Sinovac sa mga safe,鈥� he said, when asked if he is willing to be inoculated with the vaccines from China鈥檚 Sinovac.
(Yes, that鈥檚 what we will do. We will show them that it鈥檚 really safe. Our vaccine expert panel said Sinovac is among those that are safe.)
A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that nearly half of Filipinos do not want to be vaccinated against COVID-19 due to safety concerns.
Asked if the health workers prioritized in the vaccination can choose which vaccines to receive, Galvez answered in the affirmative while noting that it is voluntary.
鈥淧uwede po kasi yan po, voluntary po yan. Meron po tayong voluntary consent. Pero inaadvise po namin na kung ano yung pinkaunang dumating ay iyon po ang puwede nating gamitin,鈥� he said.
(That鈥檚 allowed because it鈥檚 voluntary. We have voluntary consent. But we advise them to receive the first vaccine to arrive.)
READ: Filipinos can鈥檛 choose COVID vaccine brand they want to receive 鈥� Palace听
Despite criticisms from lawmakers, Malaca帽ang defended the move to acquire Sinovac鈥檚 vaccines saying it is 鈥減roven safe.鈥�
READ: Sinovac鈥檚 vaccine general efficacy less than 60% in Brazil trial 鈥� report听