Gov’t will not coerce those unwilling to be vaccinated --- Roque

The government is apparently not keen on compelling a beneficiary to take the potential coronavirus vaccine if he or she does not want it.

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, the government would let it be if the targeted recipient refuses to benefit from the government's immunization program for now.

Roque made the statement in response to queries if the government's vaccination program against the new coronavirus disease will be mandatory for the identified beneficiaries. Among those who will prioritized in the immunization program are the health care workers, soldiers, policemen, essential workers, and the poor and vulnerable communities.

"Sa ngayon po eh sang-ayon po sa isang survey ng SWS, 66% naman po ng ating mga kababayan ay payag magpabakuna. Ang sabi naman po ng DOH, ang kinakailangan nating bakunahan ay 50% ng populasyon para magkaroon na tayo ng herd immunity (At present, based on the SWS survey, 66 percent of our countrymen want to be vaccinated. The DOH said 50 percent of the population must be vaccinated to attain herd immunity)," Roque said during a virtual press briefing. 

"So kung talagang ayaw magpabakuna, hayaan na po muna natin sila (So if they really don't want to be vaccine, let them be)," he added.

The government plans to make early payment for the supply of potential coronavirus vaccines amid reported breakthroughs in the development of such medicines. President Duterte gave the green light to Carlito Galvez, the country's vaccine czar, to prepare the vaccine acquisition and distribution.

Duterte, in a recent public address, said he expects Galvez to get the "best bargain" for the country's vaccine supply, adding he hopes it may be available next month or January 2021. The government is reportedly planning to buy 50 million doses of coronavirus vaccines next year through bilateral, multilateral and other financial modes.