Abby Binay admits difficulty in making COVID-19 vaccine mandatory

Makati Mayor Abby Binay signs a resolution on social distancing in this file photo lifted from the Makati City DRRM Office Facebook.

MANILA, Philippines — Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Tuesday admitted that it would be difficult to require its residents to get inoculated against the coronavirus disease, noting that there is lack of research to ensure the safety of the vaccines.

“Most of my programs, we procured Japanese encephalitis vaccines. Last year, we procured a free flu and pneumonia vaccine so hopefully we would be able to build that vaccine confidence for our citizens. It would be very difficult to make it [COVID-19 vaccine] mandatory, considering there is somehow a lack in clinical trials,” Binay said over ABS-CBN News Channel’s Hot Copy when asked if they will make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for the city to boost the economy.

“There is not enough research to push and ensure the safety of the vaccine considering how we expedited the process of procuring the vaccine. In fact, the flu and pneumonia [vaccine] is not mandatory. It is voluntary,” the mayor added.

Binay also noted that she is also skeptical whether to get herself vaccinated against the severe respiratory disease.

“There are people who are not very comfortable with the vaccine. It would be very very difficult to push for a mandatory vaccination program. If you ask me, if I will have myself vaccinated, I am still thinking about it myself,” she said.

According to Binay, there are almost a million residents in Makati, which has a total of 10,158 coronavirus disease cases, with 9,495 recoveries and 377 deaths.

https://www.facebook.com/MyMakatiVerified/photos/pcb.3415593498562752/3415593375229431/

Makati already allocated P1 billion worth of funds for the inoculation of its constituents.

JPV