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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Voluntary COVID vaccination for healthcare workers proposed

Voluntary COVID vaccination for healthcare workers proposed

Published Jan 3, 2021 02:11 pm

The Federation of Free Workers said Sunday that they agree that healthcare workers should be prioritized in the COVID-19 vaccination but it should be done on a voluntary basis.

"It should be done on voluntary basis as we understand that not all doctors, nurses, and other HCWs want to be among the first to roll up their sleeves. At least not yet, for reason that the vaccines are not yet fully tested," FFW president Sonny Matula said in a statement.

"They want to wait until the side effects are fully known and some or all of the bad effects are reduced if not eliminated," he added.

The labor group said the hesitation is much more if the COVID-19 vaccine to be used is those sourced from Chinese pharmaceutical firms. 


"We manifest our opposition or hesitancy to be inoculated if it's from China due to confusing claims on its effectiveness," said Matula.

"Claims of 50 percent to 90 percent efficacy are being made without transparency in test results," he added.

FFW said they still agree with Albay Rep. Joey Salceda's congressional initiative to prioritize the HCWs in the vaccination as they are in the line of fire.

"We agree with Rep Joey Salceda of Albay that the HCWs should get the  appropriate vaccines that are already tested among Filipino nurses abroad," said Matula.

"This must be done as early as possible to  protect our first line of human resources from exhaustion due to infection," he added.

Salceda had earlier filed House Bill No. 8285, which, among others, provides for a mandatory immunization program for healthcare workers.

The measure also states that all healthcare workers must be first in line to be immunized against COVID-19.

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