Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Tuesday lauded the national government and the rest of Team Philippines for a successful rollout of the vaccination program yesterday.
(OFFICE OF SEN. BONG GO / FILE PHOTO)
A day after the arrival and official turnover of 600,000 vaccines for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from Sinovac Biotech Ltd. which was a donation from China, the government immediately began inoculating pre-identified personnel in six government facilities in Metro Manila, namely Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Center and Sanitarium, Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital, and Victoriano Luna Medical Center (VLMC), and kicked off the much-awaited vaccination drive.
The vaccination drive will continue in the coming days in various hospitals around the country.
Based on the report of vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., vaccines would be distributed to various regions following the vaccine distribution plan. Visayas and Mindanao would receive vaccines by the end of the week.
Among the first to receive the vaccine is PGH Director Dr. Gerardo "Gap" Legaspi.
“I am happy that today marks a milestone in our journey as one people towards recovery from this pandemic,” Go said in a statement.
“I commend Team Philippines — our leaders, frontliners and fellow government workers who are working very hard so we can have the best vaccination rollout for our country,” he added.
The senator from Davao also stated that the start of the vaccination program sparks hope for the country to move forward to the new normal and bring back the normal lives and livelihoods of Filipinos.
Aside from the frontliners, some government officials were also vaccinated.
Go explained that although these officials are not deemed as priority, the government needs to show to the public that vaccination is safe and effective.
Among these are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chief Benhur Abalos, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., Testing czar Vince Dizon, and Dr. Edsel Salvana of the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group.
“Huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna, matakot kayo sa COVID-19 Ang bakuna lamang po ang tanging makakapatay sa COVID-19, kaya magtiwala po tayo sa ginagawa ng ating gobyerno (Don’t be afraid of being vaccinated, you should be afraid of COViD-19. Only vaccination kills COVID-19. that is why trust our government),” Go said.
Go, who also sits as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, expressed confidence that through these vaccines, the Philippines would be able to move forward.
Go also said that 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access by the World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to arrive soon.
He further noted that despite the arrival of vaccines in the country, Filipinos must continue to be vigilant and cooperate with the government.
Go said that Filipinos should not be complacent as the virus still exists.
He then encouraged everyone to continue the spirit of ‘’bayanihan’’ and help each other to hasten the country’s progress towards the new normal.