The aircraft carrying China’s donation of 600,000 doses of Sinovac’s Covid-19 vaccine arrives in the Philippines Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Photo courtesy of PCOO
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday urged Filipinos to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as the Philippines received its first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines from China’s Sinovac Biotech.
“To my fellow Filipinos, please set your fears aside. These vaccines are backed by science and deliberated on by our experts. Filipino experts,” he said in a speech during the turnover ceremony of the vaccines.
“I encourage you to get vaccinated at the soonest possible time. And be our partner in preventing the further spread of the disease,” the President added.
Meanwhile, addressing those who will get vaccinated, Duterte reminded them that they should still follow strict health protocols like the wearing of masks and observing social distancing.
“Your cooperation here is key and will undoubtedly save numerous lives along [the way],” he said.
He added that he hopes the delivery of the vaccines will serve as a “guarantee” that the government is “taking a big step in our efforts to overcome” the Covid-19 pandemic.
Duterte directed concerned agencies to institutionalize the whole-of-government approach in the vaccine roll-out.
“I wish to assure the public that your government remains committed to a timely [vaccine] roll out that will enable us to confidently reopen our society,” Duterte said.
He also thanked health care workers for their “valuable and selfless” contribution in the fight against Covid-19, vowing that the government will always be “by [their] side, ready to help in any way we can.”
He also called for equitable vaccine distribution, saying the Covid-19 vaccines should be treated as a “global public good” and be made available to everyone.
“No nation, no people should be left to suffer the ravages of this pandemic for whatever reason,” he said.