DOH to intensify COVID-19 vaccine info drive

The public needs to be properly educated about COVID-19 vaccination against coronavirus disease, according to the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the FDA Director-General Eric Domingo, many still do not believe in the vaccine’s effectiveness and spread false information about it.

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“Kasi kung titingin tayo sa social media, napakarami po talagang anti-vaxxers na tinatawag. Naglipana ‘yong mga news kahit po sa mga text lamang ninyo, makikita niyo sa cellphone niyo kung ano-ano tungkol sa bakuna,” Domingo said.

“Nagkakaroon po silang kaunting duda kahit po alam naman natin na wala namang scientific basis ang mga sinasabing ito,” he added.

A survey by Social Weather Stations earlier showed that more than 30 percent of Filipinos are not convinced that they should be vaccinated against COVID-19.

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According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, many rejected the vaccine back then due to the Dengvaxia controversy.

“Fortunately, we were able to bring back the vaccine confidence, and more and more mothers have brought their children to the health centers,” said Duque.

Also read: Gov’t eyes giving COVID-19 vaccines to 25 million Filipinos in 2021

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DOH to intensify COVID-19 vaccine info drive

According to the Department of Health, public confidence in vaccines increases with the help of forming a task force and communicating with communities.

He said the DOH would release more information in the coming weeks.

Various countries are now preparing for vaccines’ arrival against COVID-19, especially as the United Kingdom has begun its mass vaccination.

The Philippines may have the vaccines next year, said vaccine czar Carlito Galvez.

“Ang most probable for Q1 are two vaccines, either Gamaleya or ‘yong Sinovac,” he said.

Apart from Sinovac and Russia’s Gamaleya, the Philippine private sector and AstraZeneca company already have a vaccine supply deal.

AstraZeneca was allegedly chosen because, apart from the clinical trials’ good results, the company did not raise the price of the vaccine.

On Tuesday, Johnson & Johnson announced that it would provide 500 million doses of vaccine for developing countries with the help of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.

Also read: PH regulators verifying reports on Sinovac’s alleged ‘bribery history’