Sen. Go calls for massive info campaign on safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines

Published December 15, 2020, 5:36 PM by Mario Casayuran Senator Christopher “Bong” Go today urged the national government to conduct a massive information campaign to educate the public on the ongoing process that government is taking to secure safe and effective coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines for Filipinos. Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, emphasized the need to inform the public on the various modes of procurement — as well as plans on the eventual distribution and use — until expected full recovery through ‘herd immunity’ is achieved when the COVID-19 vaccine roadmap is properly implemented. “Huwag nating pabayaan ang mga ordinaryong Pilipino. Bigyan dapat ng tamang impormasyon ang publiko para hindi matakot at magkaroon ng confidence ukol sa mga vaccines na ito ,’’ he said. (Do not ignore the ordinary Filipinos. Provide the public with accurate information to allay fears and boost their confidence on these vaccines.) Earlier, President Duterte and Go have expressed their willingness to be one of the first to get a dose of the vaccine to encourage the public and allay fears on its safety and efficacy. “Ako, I’m very much willing na mauna kami ni Pangulong Duterte just to prove to the people na safe na po ito (I’m very much willing that I and President Duterte would be the first to be inoculated just to prove to the people that this is safe),” he said during an ambush interview right after he led the distribution of assistance to typhoon victims in Arayat, Pampanga. He later proceeded to Candaba to aid more typhoon victims there after the interview. Go has also challenged Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. to be injected first to further build public confidence. “Kunin natin ang kumpiyansa [ng mga tao]… Maraming gustong magpaturok pero takot ang attitude ng Pilipino ngayon. Kayo [government officials] muna ang mauna para mawala ang takot ng tao. Totoo naman, dapat safe, unahin natin ang safety. Mahirap naman magsisihan sa huli,’’ he stressed. (Let’s get the confidence of the people…there are many people who want to be inoculated but they are afraid. The government officials should be the first to be injected to allay the fears of the public. It is true that we should prioritize the safety of the vaccine. It is hard to regret later. A phone survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) from September 17 to 20 revealed that 31 percent of Filipinos are unwilling to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Thirty two percent said they would “definitely” get the vaccine while 34 percent responded that they would “probably” get vaccinated. Go also emphasized the commitment of the government to prioritize the poor and vulnerable sectors, as well as frontliners, including medical workers, teachers and uniformed personnel once a safe and effective vaccine is determined. As Senate health committee chairman, Go has always reminded authorities to urgently act on the matter while following the necessary processes to ensure that public resources are properly utilized in pursuit of the availability of sufficient COVID-19 vaccines. He also assured that the government is exploring several ways to secure enough vaccines for the Filipinos. Go earlier said that the proposed 2021 budget includes an appropriated amount for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccine, and an unprogrammed appropriation which could also be used for this purpose. He further explained that on top of the 2021 budget and the amount allocated through the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act intended for direct procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, there are other various modes of procurement for the vaccines that the Duterte Administration is exploring. “Other equally important modes include multilateral loans with the ADB and World Bank, bilateral loans with select countries, and private sector financing through tripartite agreement among the national government, pharmaceutical company and a private company, with no cost to the government,” he explained. He emphasized the need for everyone’s commitment to act responsibly by following the health and safety protocols issued by government. “Ngayong Pasko, ingat muna tayo habang nandyan ang COVID-19. ‘Wag muna kayong magparty. Kasama ang pamilya n’yo, dasal kayo, kumain kayo ng Noche Buena, kayo-kayo lang, ‘wag muna kayo mag-imbita ng kapitbahay, ‘wag muna kayong lumabas habang wala pang vaccine,’’ he said. (This Christmas, we have to be careful while COVID-19 is there. We should not party. Pray with your family, take your Noche Buena by yourselves, do not invite your neighbors, do not go out while there is still no vaccine.)