Even with the expected arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine, the NCAA, while it is keen on procuring doses and helping in the inoculation of its athletes, is not letting its guard down, according to a highly-reliable Malaya-Business Insight source.
“Vaccines are not a guarantee,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
“There are a lot of things to consider.”
The source also said the country’s oldest collegiate league wants to know first if the athletes and their parents will allow them to be immunized.
“Survey among the student-athletes first if they want to be vaccinated and if they will be allowed by their parents,” the source said. “Pulsuhan muna. Mahirap din iyong basta-basta.”
Companies such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Gamaleya have applied for vaccine emergency use in the Philippines.
Pfizer’s application for emergency use was approved by the Food and Drug Administration yesterday.
The Philippines is currently among the developing countries waiting to procure vaccines for the killer pulmonary disease, with the first batch of doses, likely from the China-made Sinovac or Pfizer, expected to reach the local soil next month.
The NCAA intends to launch its 96th season, set to be hosted by Letran, with only the four mandatory sports — basketball, volleyball, swimming, and track and field — under a school-based bubble concept in the second quarter this year.
