Duque to be inoculated with AstraZeneca vaccine

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday said he will be inoculated with the vaccine developed by British-Swede firm AstraZeneca as it is fit for senior citizens like him.

In a press conference in Davao City, Duque was asked by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque if he will be vaccinated with AstraZeneca that just arrived in the Philippines on Thursday night.

“Ang maganda po sa AstraZeneca, siya po ay pwede rin sa mga 60 years old and above,” said Duque, who is now 64 years old.

(What’s good about AstraZeneca is it can be inoculated to those 60 years old and above.)

“At ang sagot ko sa katanungan ni spox ay magpapabakuna na rin po ako ng AstraZeneca dahil bilang isang doctor na nagbabakuna din at humaharap sa mga pasyente at nagiinspect ng mga healthcare facilities, mga hospital, mga temporary treatment and monitoring facilities ay atin pong pinupuntahan sa bawat pagkakataon na kinakailangan tayo bumisita.

(So my answer to spox’s  question is that yes, I will be vaccinated with AstraZeneca as a doctor who also administers the vaccine, faces patients, and inspects healthcare facilities, hospitals, temporary treatment, and monitoring facilities, we also go to places where we need to visit.)

The Philippines received 487,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility, a global initiative aiming to provide equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines especially in low and middle-income countries.

The Department of Health earlier said Duque will not get Sinovac’s vaccine CoronaVac because of the age restriction on its use as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration.

Upon giving an emergency use authorization to CoronaVac, FDA recommended that it only be administered to clinically healthy individuals aged 18 to 59.

EDV