President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discusses matters with Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque on the sidelines of the 22nd Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on February 5, 2018. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Duterte and his spokesman Harry Roque are ready to get injected with Chinese vaccines.
In a virtual presser on Monday, Roque said Duterte had expressed preference for the Sinopharm vaccine.
“[Duterte] has said na his preference is for Sinopharm,” Roque said.
Sinopharm was earlier given a compassionate use license by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration for 10,000 doses.
Roque also affirmed that he was ready to receive Sinovac vaccines.
“Naku, handang-handa na po ako. Kung papayagan po ako ng Presidente at papayagan ako ng National Task Force, magpapauna po tayo,” he said.
Sinovac was earlier approved for emergency use in the country but was not recommended for senior citizens and health workers.
The country has recorded 563,456 Covid-19 cases as of Feb. 22.
The government has a P73.2-billion budget for its national vaccination program, which is expected to launch this month. John Ezekiel J. Hirro