Galvez willing to receive first COVID-19 vaccine to arrive in PH

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s 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’s Sinovac.

“Sa 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,” Galvez said Tuesday in an interview over ABS-CBN News 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’re getting are safe.)

“Opo, ganun po ang gagawin natin. Pakikita po natin na napaka-safe po yan. ‘Yung aming mga vaccine expert panel, talagang sabi po, isa ang Sinovac sa mga safe,” he said, when asked if he is willing to be inoculated with the vaccines from China’s Sinovac.

(Yes, that’s what we will do. We will show them that it’s 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.

“Puwede 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,” he said.

(That’s allowed because it’s voluntary. We have voluntary consent. But we advise them to receive the first vaccine to arrive.)

READ: Filipinos can’t choose COVID vaccine brand they want to receive — Palace 

Despite criticisms from lawmakers, Malacañang defended the move to acquire Sinovac’s vaccines saying it is “proven safe.”

READ: Sinovac’s vaccine general efficacy less than 60% in Brazil trial — report 

JPV