Filipinos should embrace the opportunity to get vaccinated against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to help save lives and livelihoods, according to Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion.
Concepcion, who has spearheaded the vaccine procurement by the private sector, stressed that vaccination is considered a Filipino's civic duty to help overcome the pandemic.
The President's adviser made the appeal ahead of the launch of the "Let's Go Bakuna" campaign to step up the information drive about the importance of vaccination. The campaign seeks to dispel misinformation about the vaccines and boost public confidence in the life-saving drugs.
"The success in winning this war is not just in being able to buy the vaccines. It's being able to convince every Filipino out there that it is their duty to get vaccinated," he said in a statement.
"It is like being called to war as a soldier, but the weapon you carry is the vaccine. It protects yourself and it will protect others. This is the solution to saving both lives and livelihood. The vaccine is the solution," added the Go Negosyo founder.
Concepcion, who got vaccinated with AstraZeneca dose in Pasig City mid-April, urged people to get their shots when the opportunity comes. He assured that the vaccines, which have been given approval by local drug regulators, have been proven safe and effective.
“I, myself, have been vaccinated because it is my civic duty to do so,” he said.
“Every qualified Filipino should be vaccinated not just for themselves, but also for their families and our country. It is only by being vaccinated that we can win this battle against COVID-19," he added.
Concepcion earlier announced that the initial supply of coronavirus vaccines purchased by the private sector is expected to arrive this June.
He has urged the labor department to step up efforts to convince workers to get vaccinated, citing the importance of inoculation to hasten the country's economic recovery. He admitted that compulsory vaccination might happen if there will be a low turnout in the immunization drive.