Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (File photo from PTV video)
In an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday, Roque disclosed he signed up to be inoculated over the weekend since he has comorbidities.
“I was in the vaccination center yesterday. But the lady who processed me said: ‘We know you had COVID.’ Because I have comorbidities so I scheduled and I went there, I was given a slot but because I tested positive, [she said:] ‘You have to wait 90 days before you are vaccinated’,” he said.
Under the government’s vaccination priority list, persons with comorbidities who are not healthcare workers or senior citizens are under the A3 category.
“I proceeded to the center, I was very impressed. This was at the Emilio Aguinaldo Elementary School in Quezon City. I’d like to thank the doctors there but they did not give me my vaccination because they reminded me that as a positive, or someone who tested positive, I need to wait 90 days before I could get my vaccination,” Roque added.
Earlier, the Palace official admitted regretting not getting vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Philippine General Hospital when the government kicked off its inoculation drive on Mar. 1.
Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, director of Philippine General Hospital, is first to receive the China-donated CoronaVac as the Philippines rolls out its vaccination drive last MRCH 1, 2021. At right, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., head of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, joins government officials inoculated during simultaneous programs in several hospitals in Metro Manila. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANILA PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE AND PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS OFFICE)
Fifteen days after the start of the inoculation rollout, Roque announced he tested positive for COVID-19. He has since recovered.