Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion has received his first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine to boost his protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Concepcion, founder of Go Negosyo, got inoculated on Tuesday, April 13, in Pasig City as the government started the vaccination of persons with comorbidity.
The President's adviser, who has spearheaded the vaccine procurement by the private sector, earlier defended that the benefits of using AstraZeneca vaccines outweighed its risks.
Health authorities recently temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca vaccines for people below 60 years old following reports of blood clotting with some vaccinated persons.
Concepcion remained hopeful that the health officials would reconsider such decision so economic frontliners can benefit from the vaccines.
"Concepcion hopes that the FDA will revert its recent ruling on the use of AstraZeneca vaccines and allow the greater majority of 'economic frontliners' who need the most protection to take the vaccines. Most countries have not put an age restriction on the use of AstraZeneca vaccines," a statement from Concepcion's office read.
"Concepcion underlines the need and urgency to have as many people inoculated—not only for their own protection, but for the greater, overall health of our country," it added.
AstraZeneca vaccine is the same brand purchased by the private sector and local government units under the "A Dose of Hope" vaccination program. More than 17 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines have been secured at the base cost of $5 per dose under the nonprofit program of the British vaccine maker.
According to Concepcion, the first batch of 2.6 million doses will be delivered to the country by first week of June. The remaining 14.4 million doses for donor companies and other LGUs are expected to arrive in July.