Malacañang stated that families of uniformed personnel may also be part of the priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination, as the country awaits arrival of different brands of anti-coronavirus drugs.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque echoed President Rodrigo Duterte’s previous remark that police and military personnel will be among the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for free, along with their families.
Amid concerns that the prioritization was not being followed, Roque simply said that there is enough supply for their target even if the families of the uniformed personnel were to be included.
“Huwag kayong mag-alala kasi sa ating initial list, 24 million ang ating babakunahan. If at all, siguro madadagdagan pa po ito ng mga 2 million if there are three members of the family of men in uniform,” he said.
“Sobra sobra naman na yung inaasahan nating darating na bakuna by the second or third quarter of the year.”
The spokesman further explained that this is the president’s way of recognizing the importance of uniformed personnel in maintaining order and safety in the country.
“Hindi naman po nagbabago (ang current protocols), ang ineexpand lang niya iyong mga pamilya ng mga kasundaluhan,” Roque said.
The Duterte administration previously drew public rage after it was revealed members of the President’s security already got their shots with unauthorized vaccines at a time when the country’s regulatory body has not yet approved any COVID-19 vaccine.
