COVID-19 vaccine trust rate rise but cut in line inoculation of outsiders now a problem
By Chito Chavez
With the rise in the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine confidence rating, the national government is now facing a problem on some residents transferring to other areas just to be inoculated which is considered as unlawful and inappropriate as it would deny the registered residents in the area of the vaccine.
This concern was raised by Bulacan resident and businessman Joan Halili who divulged on Sunday, July 4, that affluent individuals have “pulled strings just to get vaccinated at the earliest time possible in other areas where the antidote is already available.’’
Despite the illicit process, Halili admitted having understood individuals using their influence to get vaccinated against “COVID-19’’ with the government’s massive information drive that only the vaccine aside from following public health protocols can prevent the spread of the disease.
When pressed for more information, Halili declined to identify the individuals, barangay officials and the places where these incidents had occurred.
Halili’s declaration drew concerns from people who are next in line in the COVID-19 vaccination while fears struck those waiting for their second inoculation saying that it may be delayed as some from other localities might have jumped the line to get vaccinated.
The concern was also raised by an engineer from Quezon City who identified herself simply as Pam claiming her family received text messages that their second vaccine dose previously scheduled on July 7 might not push through.
“The possibility of having the second injection (of the COVID-19 vaccine) postponed might affect its efficacy on us,’’ Pam said.
In an exclusive interview, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año stressed that “those can be cross checked immediately and LGUs (local government units) will not allow that.’’
He urged the public to provide the DILG with the “exact details and I will hold the involved LGU officials accountable. We will not allow that.’’
The DILG chief however explained that “people can be vaccinated either on their place of residence or their place of work as long as they are properly registered and qualified according to their category.’’
“If there are anomalies, then we can investigate based on verifiable information,’’ Año said.