Robredo: Jab on Duterte would boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence

Vice President Leni Robredo encouraged President Rodrigo Duterte to be among the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine shot to boost the public's confidence in vaccinations.

In her radio program on Sunday, Robredo said Duterte's popularity among Filipinos could be used to influence their view on vaccinations.

“Ang surveys pinapakita na sobrang popular ni Pangulo, ‘di ba? Sobrang popular ni Pangulo, so makakatulong sana to boost 'yung confidence ng ating mga kababayan kung makita siya,” she explained.

“So makakatulong na kung sino iyong tinitingala nila eh makita nila, ipakita sa kanila na walang dapat ipangamba. So ako lang, sana tine-take into consideration 'yung mga ganito.”

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said frontliners and vulnerable sectors will get the first shot of the vaccine when they reach the country, and that he will be among the last.

In August last year, Duterte said he was willing to get inoculated in public and volunteered to get the first shot.

Like the inoculation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo with the first COVID-19 vaccine shot in his country, Robredo said the move can dispel doubts over vaccine products.

“Hindi natin alam kung hindi lang nakakaabot dito, pero parang wala masyadong controversy about it (Sinovac vaccine in Indonesia). Baka ang gustong sabihin, effective ang communications plan nila,” she said.

“Baka nasabi nila sa tao, na-explain nila sa tao kung bakit ito iyong desisyon. 'Yun yung kulang sa atin, kaya nagkakaroon ng kontrobersiya,” she added.

Only 32% of Filipinos said they were 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. — DVM, GMA News