Around 2,000 seafarers were vaccinated today (June 17) in Manila using the Pfizer-BioNTech-developed COVID-19 vaccine, in line with the government’s continuous inoculation rollout.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte himself gave a directive to administer Pfizer vaccine to seafarers due to the employment and destination demands.
“Walang favoritism dahil kung hindi bibigyan ng Pfizer ang mga seaman, baka hindi makasakay muli sa barko… It is ensuring na magkaroon ng hanapbuhay ang ating seafarers,” he said.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has not yet confirmed reported rejection of some seafarers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) allegedly due to their vaccine brand.
DOLE said some countries have already expressed preference on some vaccine brands, which the country will address.
“Ideally sa mga seafarers, J&J [Johnson & Johnson] na lang para isang turok na lang. Kasi kung hihintayin pa ‘yung second, kawawa ‘yung seafarers. Pero kung ang gusto ng destination ay Pfizer, eh di ibibigay ni Sec. Vince [Dizon] ang Pfizer,” DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello said.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reiterated that seafarers’ inoculation will help boost economic recovery. – Report from Kenneth Paciente/AG-rir
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