Galvez asks gov't officials: Let health workers get vaccinated first

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. asked government leaders to give way to healthcare workers in the vaccination rollout following reports that some non-medical frontliners, including public officials, are getting inoculated already.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB on Thursday, Galvez said it was a moral obligation for government officials when a healthcare worker is being deprived of the vaccine considering that the supply is currently limited.

“Yun nga ang sinasabi ng (Health Secretary Francisco Duque III) na if we deprive one dose for one healthcare worker baka mamaya maging victim ng COVID. It will be a moral obligation for us,” he said.

“We are asking all our leaders na kung puwede i-dedicate muna natin sa healthcare workers ito pong AstraZeneca at saka Sinovaac considering na tapusin muna natin yung healthcare workers at senior citizens,” he added.

Galvez, who received the vaccines on Monday, made the statement as he discussed his dialogue with a doctor who called him out for getting the vaccine before most of the healthcare workers.

According to Galvez, the issue was already settled between them. He said he understands the concern of the doctor on the prioritization of healthcare workers.

“Nag-apologize naman po ako dahil talagang I was directed by the President to take that jab kasi nabalitaan na hindi po darating ang AstraZeneca,” he said.

“Nabahala po ang ating mahal na Presidente. Sabi niya, ‘Maganda na magpa-vaccine ka na para makita ng tao ‘yung Sinovac…’yun nga ang kinakaayawan ng karamihan',” he added.

Galvez also clarified reports that three beneficiaries of a healthcare worker can receive the COVID-19 vaccines. He noted that the ongoing rollout only covers healthcare workers. Their dependents are not yet included.

He made the clarification after Quezon Representative Helen Tan, whose son is working as a doctor at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, received the shot.

Galvez said they will investigate in case government officials cut in line in the vaccination rollout program.

Sought for comment on the probe, Tan said she was vaccinated because she is also a frontliner, a doctor by profession.

"I can't see any reason for them to investigate. I am a medical doctor despite being a congresswoman. Part of my regular rounds every week is giving free consultation to sick people," Tan said.

"Got it as a frontliner and not just a mother of a frontliner," Tan added.

The Department of Health said it will also investigate the inoculation of some individuals who are not medical frontliners, in disregard the prioritization of healthcare workers in the vaccination rollout. —LBG, GMA News