Eye of Unity
By: Vian Clinch Leybag
I’ve been asking my family last year if the vaccines have already been made, do they want to risk taking it? The answer is, yes. I asked them the same question now, but the answer is different. The reason is somehow behind the spreading news and information about the efficacy of these different types of vaccines— whether the vaccines are effective or whether they have bad side effects since some have reportedly killed people around the world.
Just this March 2021, 480,000 doses of Astrazeneca vaccines reportedly came from COVAX facility and has already arrived here in the Philippines. This May, 500,000 more doses of Sinovac Vaccines arrived here in the Philippines. Now a total of 5.5 million doses of Sinovac was procured by the Philippine Government from China— followed by one of the most awaited vaccines of the public which is the first batch of Pfizer Vaccines with 193,050 doses that was already shipped here in the Philippines.
Since these 3 known vaccines arrive from different manufacturers in the world, their efficacy is still in question. Filipino people aren’t still convinced whether they can trust the COVID vaccines or not.
According to the Pulse Asia survey reported by Rappler just this March 2021, 6 out of 10 Filipinos don't want to get vaccinated against the COVID-19. 84 percent said they weren’t sure of its safety and the remaining said vaccines are not effective and not needed anymore. The survey also found out that most Filipinos preferred the Pfizer vaccine.
These vaccines that were provided by different manufacturers around the world were procured by the PH government month by month in order to reach its target goal of vaccinated Filipinos by the end of the year. However, this will only be possible if all Filipino citizens from children to elders fully participate without hesitation. In this month’s situation, there is no assurance of full participation from people. Since most Filipinos trusted Pfizer or Astrazeneca vaccines more than others— it will be the main target of many people to take as early as possible.
In conclusion, the majority of the Filipinos don’t want to get vaccinated or they will push themselves to get vaccinated by Pfizer or even Astrazeneca as early as possible before it runs out. Although the government secured the possible priority list of the people who will get vaccinated this year, other citizens can still be vaccinated as early as them.
Whether most Filipinos think differently about vaccines, it is still important to remember that our society is a chain of a domino effect. When we decide not to be vaccinated, we somehow become a contributor to the spreading of the virus— remember that everyday someone is still being infected and struggling because of it so choose wisely.
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