Malacañang clarified that no one will be forced to get vaccinated against the COVID-19, however, he added that Filipinos cannot afford to be “picky” once a vaccine becomes available in the Philippines.
“Wala pong pilian, wala kasing pilitan. Pero magsa-sign ka ng waiver na hindi nagpaturok,” Roque said.
[No one can choose, no one can also be forced. But you have to sign a waiver if you do not like to get vaccinated.]
“Meron po tayong karapatan para sa mabuting kalusugan pero hindi naman po pepwede na pihikan dahil napakaraming Pilipino na dapat turukan.”
[We have a right to be healthy, but we cannot just be picky because there are a lot of Filipinos who need to get vaccinated.]
Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. during a Senate hearing disclosed that vaccinations will be done on a geographical and sectoral basis, with Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao to be prioritized for vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna, as these metro hubs has cold chain capacity.
Galvez also siad that Novavax, Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines may be the first to reach the country, but added that a pending application for an early rollout under the World Health Organization’s COVAX facility could also lead to the delivery of Pfizer vials in the country this quarter.
The government aims to prioritize the inoculation of frontline health workers, indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, remaining indigent population, and uniformed personnel when vaccines become available.
