By NG Seruela
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said he will not allow the “discrimination” of COVID-19 vaccine brands in line with the ongoing national COVID-19 vaccination program.
In his weekly public address on Monday (May 17), he said all vaccines are equally “potent and effective” regardless of the brand.
“They are all potent, they are all effective. So, wala, there’s no reason for you really to be choosy about it,” he said.
The President insisted that no one should “ask for a special kind of [vaccine]” because the distribution of vaccines are made by batches. He emphasized that he will not allow anyone to choose their preferred vaccine brands because all of them are effective.
“Kung ano ang nasa harap ninyo [na bakuna], ‘yun na. Do not ask for a special kind of [vaccine] kasi bulto per bulto kapag binigay. Hindi namimili ‘yan, kinukuha na lang tapos binibigay…Hindi ako magpayag na magpili-pili. Kung ano ang nasa harap mo, ‘yun na. Pareho lang ‘yan lahat.”
The Chief Executive assured that vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. distributes the COVID-19 vaccines with a “blind eye” for the brands.
“Kung mahirap ka man o mayaman, kung gusto mo pumunta ka doon sa vaccination site if you are there in that community, go there and have yourself vaccinated by any of the vaccines available,” Duterte recommended.
Meanwhile, in a Palace briefing on Tuesday (May 18), Galvez said the vaccine is the answer to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Vaccine ang [sagot] sa pandemic na ito. So dapat, iyan ang pang-unawa ng ating mga Pilipino – na really, the only answer for us to become normal ay ‘yung vaccine.” -jlo