Duque gets vaccinated with Sinovac in public

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday received his first shot of the vaccine against COVID-19. Duque, 64, initially deferred his vaccination since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier advised against the use of China-made CoronaVac for seniors. Duque’s vaccination was aired on PTV4. He decided to get the shot following FDA’s decision to allow the use of the Sinovac-produced vaccine on the elderly who are on the priority list. “As I receive my dose of the COVID-19 vaccine today, I invite everyone to do the same, and choose to be protected,” Duque said. Gerardo Bayugo, health undersecretary, administered Duque’s first shot.

—Patricia Denise M. Chiu