Plot twist! Roque says healthworkers, Duterte won’t be the firsts to get COVID-19 vaccine
Contrary to the initial plan, the country’s healthworkers and President Rodrigo Duterte will not be the first ones to get COVID-19 vaccine in the country, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Monday.
The change in the priority came after Food and Drug Administration said Sinovac vaccine — which is the first COVID-19 vaccine brand to be delivered this week—is not recommended for healthcare workers and elderlies.
“I can confirm it looks like Sinovac will be the first vaccine we’ll use in our vaccination program. Dahil sinabi po ng FDA sa approved na EUA [for Sinovac] na hindi muna gagamitin sa senior citizens, hindi po mapapasama ang Presidente sa mauuna,” Roque said.
“Magpupulong po iyong tinatawag na NITAG ‘no – ang NITAG po iyong National Immunization Technical Advisory Group. Sila po iyong bumuo ng list of priorities at ang mangyayari po diyan eh siguro kinakailangan nilang baguhin muna iyong ating list of priorities para sa Sinovac,” Roque said.
Roque said that the doses initially earmarked for healthworkers and elderly could be given to other “criticial economic frontliners.”
“Hindi na po maaantala iyan. Kung hindi maibibigay sa seniors at healthcare workers, napakadami naman pong mga critical economic frontliners na mabibigyan at siyempre kung maaprubahan na at magkaroon na ng supply agreement na initial one million ‘no…50,000 at 950,000…one million Sinovac eh pupuwede na nating ituloy-tuloy ang bakunahan; na iyong ating mga mahihirap na pinangako ni Presidente na sila po ang mauuna sa bakuna,” Roque added.
