Public urged to disclose what medicines they are taking before getting COVID-19 shots

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Sunday called on the public to disclose to the inoculator the medicines they are taking before receiving a vaccine against COVID-19 in order to identify the vaccine best suited for them.

Sotto made the appeal amid lingering concerns among the public as to the effectivity of the vaccines against COVID-19.

"Kailangan magpabakuna tayo. Pero bago ka magpabakuna, sabihin mo sa doktor lahat ng [gamot] mo. Umiinom ako ng ganito, sasabihin sa 'yo kung bagay o hindi. Hindi ka naman babakunahan kung alam na meron kang hindi babagayan," Sotto said in a Dobol B TV interview.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday signed into law the Vaccination Program Act of 2021 which would expedite the rollout of the country's vaccination program against COVID-19 and provide a P500-million indemnity fund for individuals who will experience adverse effects after getting the jab.

Sotto said only serious adverse effects resulting from the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine will be covered by the indemnity fund.

"Nakalagay sa batas, death or permanent disability or serious adverse effects na kailangan ng hospital confinement. Hindi puwedeng nilagnat ka o medyo masakit 'yung katawan mo, hindi puwede 'yun," he said.

"Na-ospital because of serious adverse effects. Kasi kung na-ospital ka pero nakita sa ospital at nakita na ibang dahilan bakit ka na-ospital, hindi kasama 'yun," he added.

As the country inches closer and closer to the actual administration of COVID-19 vaccines, Sotto urged the public to trust the government.

"Maniwala ka sa gobyerno, kasi hindi papasok ang gobyerno na sasabit sila. Napag-aralan 'yan nang mabuti," he said.

"Ang bottomline para sa mga kababayan natin, huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna na ito. Ang benepisyo na makukuha mo kapag nabakunahan ka, mas malaki at mas mabigat kesa sa hindi ka nagpabakuna at nagkaroon ka ng COVID-19," he added.

A total of 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Sinovac are expected to arrive at the Villamor Airbase on Sunday afternoon, of which 100,000 doses will be allocated to the Philippine military.

Duterte is expected to personally welcome the arrival of the Chinese vaccines, according to his former close aide, Senator Bong Go.

On Monday, 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine will also be delivered to the Philippines around noontime, said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

The Philippines targets to inoculate 50 to 70 million individuals within the year. —KG, GMA News