Filipinos have a right to choose their COVID-19 vaccine –Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday that Filipinos should be able to choose which COVID-19 vaccine they want to be inoculated with since they have control over their health.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said earlier that Filipinos could not be choosy with the vaccines that would be used on them.

"Dapat siguro ipaalala na iyong kalusugan natin karapatan natin iyon, ‘di ba. Hindi ito isang pribelehiyo na hindi dapat accessible sa lahat pero ito ay isang karapatan na puwede nating i-demand,” said Robredo on her radio program.

“Kaakibat doon sa karapatan na iyon iyong karapatang magtanong ano iyong isasaksak sa katawan mo, ‘di ba.”

For Robredo, government officials can ease public doubts on the safety and efficacy of vaccines through effective communication.

The failure to provide the public with relevant and accurate information results in controversies, whether or not these controversies have a basis.

“Hindi nako-communicate nang maayos iyong—may mga statements na sinasabi iyong iba nating mga government officials na hindi nakakatulong,” Robredo said.

“Whether may basehan iyon o wala, pero ganoon iyong impresyon ng tao na parang may kinikilingan tayo... May pinipili tayo na, parang may isang vaccine na nakakaangat sa iba,” she added.

She also suggested government officials convince the public about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines by addressing their concerns.

“Hindi siya kayang ma-address na propaganda. Hindi siya kayang i-address na sasabihin mo lang na politika. Kailangan ma-address iyong concerns,” Robredo said.

"If ang concern, papaano mai-explain iyong mababang efficacy. Iyon iyong number one.”

Only 32% of Filipinos said they are willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a Pulse Asia survey conducted from November 23 to December 2 last year.

A near majority, or 47%, said they are not inclined to be inoculated.

Also, 84% percent of those who said they would not get vaccinated cited safety concerns as the reason for their unwillingness.

Out of the more than 100 million population, the Philippine government aims to vaccinate some 50 to 70 million Filipinos against COVID-19 this year.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said his department will use a "massive" information campaign to encourage Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19. — DVM, GMA News