Duterte tells public not to be choosy on COVID-19 vaccine brands

MANILA, Philippines — “Kung anong nasa harapan n’yo, yan na.” (What’s in front of you, that would be it.)

President Rodrigo Duterte had this to say in a briefing aired Tuesday as he reminded the public not to be choosy on the COVID-19 brands they will receive.

“Di’ba sabi ko [I have said it] there will be no discrimination at saka hindi kayo makapili kung ano ang bakuna. Pareho lahat yan [and you cannot choose what vaccine brand. They are all the same],” Duterte said.

“Kung ano ang nasa harapan niyo, yun na. Do not ask for a special kind kasi bulto per bulto yan ibigay. Hindi namimili yan, kinukuha na lang tapos binibigay [What’s in front of you, that would be it. Do not ask for a special kind because it was given in bulk. It was not chosen, we just received it and distribute them],” the President added.

Duterte said vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. has been ordered to make the distribution of the COVID-19 jabs “with a blind eye” on their brand.

“Karamihan yung meron, naghihintay ng mga US, Moderna, Pfizer. Sabi ko, hindi mangyayari yan. Kung ano ang nasa harapan nyo, ke milyonaryo ang mamili, ang mamili ay si Secretary Galvez,” Duterte said.

(Most of the affluent, they are waiting for the US, Moderna, Pfizer. I said that would not happen. What’s laid in front of you, whether the one choosing is a millionaire, the one choosing is Secretary Galvez.)

Further, Duterte claimed that all COVID-19 vaccines are “potent and effective” thus, there is “no reason” for the public to be choosy.

“Kung mahirap ka man o mayaman, kung gusto mo, pumunta ka doon sa vaccination site [Whether you are poor or rich, if you want, you go there in the vaccination site]. If you are there in that community, go there and have yourself vaccinated by any of the vaccines available. They are all potent, they are all effective. There’s no reason for you to be choosy about it,” Duterte said.

“Maski ilang subdivision ka na mayaman… pareho kayo lahat, hindi ako papayag na magpili-pili. Kung anong nasa harap mo, yun na,” he added.

(No matter how rich you are and many subdivisions you have… you all get the same, I will not allow people to be choosy. Whatever it is in front of you, that would be it.)

Duterte earlier ordered Galvez to keep a blind eye to brands when distributing COVID-19 vaccines to local governments to avoid disputes about vial preferences that will prolong the process.

JPV