Romualdez urges public: Get whatever COVID-19 vaccine you can

As the government works hard to procure as many COVID-19 vaccines as possible, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez on Sunday encouraged the public to get the vaccine already available for them.

In an interview with Dobol B TV, Romualdez stressed the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine as early as possible so as to protect oneself from infection.

"Kailangan talaga kung ano man ang dumating sa atin at 'yung mga nauuna, lalo na 'yung mga health workers natin, kailangan magpabakuna na agad," he said.

"Kasi kailangan na sila ay protektado at tsaka pinoprotektahan nila 'yung mga taong nakakasama nila," he added.

The Philippines began its COVID-19 vaccination program on March 1 after the arrival of 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines, which was immediately followed by 487,000 doses of vaccines from AstraZeneca.

Romualdez confirmed that the government has sealed a supply deal for 13 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna, with the expected arrival in the country this June.

Moderna is an American company, and its COVID-19 vaccine has shown 94% efficacy

Although there was some assurance that the American vaccine will be arriving soon, Romualdez told the public to get whatever vaccines are available for them for now.

"Kung gusto ninyo 'yung galing dito sa Amerika, maski na dadating 'yan ng June, magpabakuna muna kayo ngayon ng whatever is available dahil itong pandemya na ito, hindi naman ito mawawala 'yan overnight. So next year, there's a possibility na kailangan magpabakuna," he said.

"In other words, it's best to have whatever vaccine is available as soon as possible. And when there's a new one coming and it's time for you to get that shot, you'll get that shot," he added.

Romualdez assured the public that the Philippine government is working to get "as many vaccines as possible."

"Alam natin meron tayong bagong variant diyan, 'yung sa South Africa, delikado 'yan. Tumataas na naman ang infection rate natin. Kailangan talaga pabilisan ito e. So 'yan ang ginagawa natin ngayon," he said. 

"We're trying our best to get as many vaccines as possible, wherever we can get it para sa ganu'n we can get as many people as possible na mabakunahan," he added.

Another batch of 38,400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines are expected to arrive later in the day. 

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country reached 591,138 on Saturday. Of this number, 535,350 recovered while 12,465 died. —KG, GMA News