Sen. Christopher Go (Photo from his office)
MANILA, Philippines — Journalists – who can be considered as frontliners — should be included in the priority list of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The media for me can be considered as a very important sector of society as you are also like frontliners because it’s you who bring the news, about what should be done in a place. You are the ones who expose,” Go told reporters in Filipino in an interview after the turnover of a fire truck and a government to cooperatives in Kibawe, Bukidnon.
“So, the media should also be given priority once the safe and effective vaccines are available so that you can continue with your work of covering and bringing news to our countrymen,” he added.
Meanwhile, Go said that he would be willing to be vaccinated in public along with President Rodrigo Duterte to allay the fears of the public over the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.
In an earlier statement, Go said that Duterte would get vaccinated in public on the approval of his physician. The president, he said, would also have to discuss with the physician which vaccine would be suitable for him.
As part of the effort to build public confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines, Go delivered, also on Tuesday his co-sponsorship speech on Senate Bill No. 2057, which would establish an indemnification fund for vaccine recipients who might develop a negative reaction to the vaccine.
Pharmaceutical firms, Go noted, require such a fund before supplying the government with vaccines to protect themselves from possible damage suits.
According to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., the immunization could start between late February or in March, when the first batch of vaccine doses are expected to arrive.
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