Marcos assures safe, effective vaccines as DOH starts jab for infants

File photo/Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — A mass vaccination drive addressing the immunization needs of infants ages 12 months below was launched by the Department of Health (DOH), according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Citing a video message, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the chief executive sought the help of the public to eliminate vaccine hesitancy.

Marcos likewise assured the public that “vaccines from the government are tested safe and proven effective, as they have been used for many years.”

READ: Lack of storage facilities hounding vaccination drive – DOH

“Help us since others don’t want to get vaccinated because they are afraid that their child might get hurt more. No, all the vaccines we provide are tested and have been in use for several years,” the President said.

“For parents, please bring your child to this vaccination drive and get them inoculated,” he added.

Aside from vaccine hesitancy, the DOH earlier said it encountered challenges in the distribution of vaccines in some parts of the country, which led to lapses in immunization in April this year.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa pointed out that some health centers did not have the proper facilities for the storage of vaccines.