Isko Moreno gets vaccinated with Sinovac vaccine

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Sunday got vaccinated with CoronaVac, Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, a doctor, administered the vaccine to the mayor.

“I made a commitment to the people of Manila that I would get the Sinovac vaccine. A lot of Filipinos have doubts about Sinovac, so as a matter of commitment, I got vaccinated with it,” Moreno said in a statement.

Citing mayors who had COVID-19, Moreno said it was “high time to get mayors vaccinated” since they have also been serving at the frontlines of the fight against the pandemic.

On Saturday, Manila Public Information Office chief Julius Leonen said Moreno was scheduled to get his first dose of Sinovac vaccine, pursuant to the advisory of IATF that the mayors in high risk cities and municipalities are already authorized to get vaccinated.

“As such, Mayor Isko is scheduled to get his Sinovac vaccine tomorrow, April 4, 10 am at the Osmeña High School in Tondo,” Leonen said.

Moreno has repeatedly expressed his willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to boost the public’s confidence on the government’s inoculation program.

“I continue to be hopeful everyday that people would want to be vaccinated. We will vaccinate them as long as we have vaccines available. The most efficient vaccine is the one in your arm. So, if you are already qualified, please go to our vaccination sites.” he said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that local government officials are now fourth in priority for vaccination after the healthcare workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities, after some mayors were found jumping the queue for inoculation.

Some 41,692 individuals have so far been vaccinated by the Manila City government through its city health department.

EDV