Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III has expressed his willingness to be among the first Filipinos in the country to be injected with the COVID-19 vaccine once it is ready for use.
This was stressed by Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, reacting to the challenge made by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go that Duque and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr should get the vaccine first to allay the fears of some people when it comes to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
“The Secretary is open to that [the first one to be injected], Vergeire said stressing that the vaccine will not be made available if its safety and efficacy will not be proven.
“Even the whole Department of Health would be willing to do that,” she added.
Vergeire explained that even potential vaccine still needs to undergo regulatory processes before it can be allowed for public use here in the country.
Awareness and educational campaign
Vergeire said that they will be engaging with the local government units (LGUs) to help the people understand the importance of the Covid-19 vaccine.
“By mid- December, we will have the engagement and mobilization in the community,” she added.
Earlier, Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said that the vaccine will not be forced on the people.
Domingo explained that there will be full disclosure of the risks and benefits of the vaccine to ensure that the potential recipient will have an informed-choice.
He said that the DOH will conduct information, education, and communications campaigns regarding the vaccines
Covid cases
The Covid-19 cases in the country rose to 441,399 on Monday after 1,574 additional cases were logged.
There were 80 recoveries and 18 deaths recorded.
Of the total number of cases, 5.5 percent (24,125) are active cases 92.6 percent (408,702) have recovered, and 1.94 percent (8,572) have died.
Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila