Duterte ready to get COVID-19 vaccine granted with EUA – Palace
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Dutere “cannot wait” to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and is even willing to be inoculated with one granted an emergency use authorization (EUA), Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque answered in the affirmative when asked if the President is ready to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 serum under EUA.
“Yes, that is the impact of the executive order on EUA,” Roque said in an online briefing.
Last week, the President allowed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue EUA to COVID-19 drugs and vaccines in a bid to hasten the processing time for approval of a possible treatment for the potentially-deadly respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.
But as of this time, no COVID-19 vaccine has been given EUA by FDA in the Philippines.
“Well ang Presidente po ay nako, ang Presidente po ay hindi na makapag-antay. Gusto niyang turukan na siya nang mapakita sa buong bayan na ligtas at epektibo, ito po’y dumaan sa experts panel group ng pinakadalubhasang Pilipino at yan po ay comes with their highest endorsement na ligtas at epektibo,” he also said.
(The President can’t wait. He wants to be inoculated to show the nation that it’s safe and effective and it underwent the experts panel group and came with their highest endorsement.)
Roque added that Duterte would be the “best communication tool” to encourage the public to be vaccinated against COVID-19 once it becomes available in the country.
“Definitely, as spokesperson, I think the President is the best communication tool. So kung papayagan na po ng FDA, I think po mangunguna ang Presidente at ang-volunteer naman po siya. Gustong gusto na niya,” Roque said.
(Definitely, as spokesperson, I think the President is the best communication tool. If FDA gives its approval, I think the President will be first and he already previously volunteered. He really wants it.)
Asked if Duterte’s vaccination would be streamed live, Roque said he thinks there is no need, but it would depend on the President’s decision.
FDA said allowing them to issue EUA would make it possible for the Philippines to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine as early as March 2021.
