Vaccine brand preference hounds PH's COVID-19 vax drive - NTF adviser

The people’s preference for a specific vaccine brand against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been one of the issues affecting the country’s vaccination rollout.
Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, a special health adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19, made the statement in a webinar hosted by the University of the Philippines on Friday, Nov. 5.
“The bigger problem in administration had been the brand preference, because initially most of our vaccines were Sinovac,” Herbosa said.
“And then when people are registered and they find out that what is going to be administered for that day is Sinovac, we have 500, they end up going home, they end up only vaccinating 200,” he added.
Food and Drug Administration Director-General Eric Domingo echoed the concerns of Herbosa, noting that not all COVID-19 vaccines are suitable for all ages.
“Tandaan din natin, hindi kasi lahat ng bakuna pwede para sa lahat (Let's also remember, not all vaccines are suitable for everyone). Like for now, for adolescence, only Pfizer and Moderna, and if you want to vaccinate them, then we have to reserve these vaccines for them,” Domingo said.
“So adults should I think opt for other vaccines that are available,” he added.
Herbosa said the government is reserving its supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the inoculation of around 12.7 million children aged 12 to 17.
The country officially kicked off the COVID-19 vaccination of all children and adolescents in Metro Manila aged 12 to 17 on Nov. 3.