OFWs, seafarers may be allowed to choose COVID-19 vaccine brand

MANILA, Philippines — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including seafarers, may be allowed to choose their COVID-19 vaccine brand if it is a prerequisite for their employment, Malacañang said Thursday.

“Kung meron naman po talagang basehan at ito’y magiging pre-condition para sa hanapbuhay ng ating mga kababayan, may posibilidad po,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

(If there is a basis and it will be a pre-condition for the livelihoods of our countrymen, there’s a possibility.)

Roque was responding to a query whether or not OFWs will be allowed to choose a COVID-19 vaccine brand because of reports that some countries would not allow entry of travelers inoculated with certain brands.

“Pag-aaralan po. Ang sabi naman po ng Presidente, there may be a basis for the request and again, explaining the President’s position, yung Constitutional principle involved po is equal protection of the law na dapat all those similarly situated to be treated in the same manner,” Roque said.

(This will be studied. The President said there may be a basis for the request and again, explaining the President’s position, the Constitutional principle involved is the equal protection of the law.)

“Pero kung meron naman pong genuine basis for distinction, baka po pwede po,” he added.

(But if there’s a genuine basis for distinction, it might be allowed.)

The President has urged the public not to be choosy when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine brands.

Duterte even ordered local officials not to announce the brand of vaccines to encourage Filipinos to get inoculated with whatever is brands is available.

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