BY GERARD NAVAL and JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
ONLY 5 percent of Filipinos are still not inclined to get vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a survey of the independent OCTA Research group showed.
The survey, which showed a continued drop in vaccine hesitancy, was conducted from December 7 to 12 last year, with 1,200 respondents.
“COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy of adult Filipinos dropped to 5%, from 22% in September 2021,” said OCTA fellow Guido David in a social media post.
“Safety was still the most quoted reason for hesitancy,” he added.
David said vaccine hesitancy is highest in the Visayas and Mindanao, both at 9 percent, while Metro Manila and Luzon both showed a 3 percent hesitancy rate.
Among the socio-economic classes, Classes D and E showed 6 percent jab hesitancy, and 4 percent in Classes A, B, and C.
The survey also showed that almost three in every four of the respondents are already vaccinated, or around 74 percent. The National Capital Region had the most number of vaccinated respondents at 91 percent.
About 15 percent of the respondents have expressed willingness to get jabbed against COVID-19, with the highest in the Visayas at 25 percent.
The survey also showed 6 percent of the respondents said they were not sure if they want to get vaccinated. Luzon had the highest, at 10 percent.
Uncertainty about the safety of the vaccines remains the top reason for the hesitancy (94 percent) while uncertainty about the effectiveness of the vaccine (26 percent), belief that vaccines are not needed to fight COVID-19 (12 percent), having medical conditions (7 percent), and unavailability of vaccines in their area (6 percent) are the other reasons raised.
Willingness to be vaccinated also rose to 89 percent from 61 percent in September.
Only 2 percent of those fully vaccinated contacted COVID-19 down from 3 percent in September.
Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the government is encouraged by the survey results and will continue to explore ways to make vaccines more accessible to Filipinos.
“This is incontrovertible evidence that COVID-19 vaccines protect us, our loved ones, and our communities from the virus. It also emphasizes that vaccination is a step towards the right direction in our efforts to restore normalcy,” he said.
The Department of Health dismissed claims that vaccinated individuals could not donate blood.
“Anyone, who has been vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine may donate blood, particularly anytime, if they are asymptomatic; and 14 days after resolution of symptoms or their recovery from COVID-19,” the DOH said in a statement.
These conditions are aside from the standard criteria for donating blood, such as being 16 to 65 years old, and not weighing less than 50 kilograms. The individual must not have undergone minor/major surgery, new tattoos, body piercings, anti-rabies/ anti-tetanus vaccine, for the past year. He/she must also not be involved in high-risk behavior such as casual sex, male-male sex, or multiple sexual partners.
If with diabetes and hypertension, a donor’s condition must be controlled, the DOH said.
If the individual has other diseases, he or she will need to be assessed appropriately, it added.
VAX SITES
At least 24 vaccination sites in Metro Manila, half of which are hospital-based, will offer reformulated Pfizer vaccines for children aged five to 11 years during the pilot implementation next week, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
The target is at least two vaccine sites per city and municipality in Metro Manila (National Capital Region) which is the epicenter of COVID-19 cases in the country, said Galvez, also chief of the National Task Force against COVID-19).
He also said local government units in Central Luzon (Region III) and Calabarzon (IV-A) are appealing to be included in the pilot implementation which is expected to be on February 4 or 5. There is no decision yet on the appeal of the LGUs.
Galvez initially reported to President Duterte that the target date for the start of the pediatric vaccination is on February 4.
Vaccinations will be done from Friday to Sunday as the minors need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Galvez said the Pediatric Medical Association also wants the vaccination for minors on weekends to enable working parents to accompany their kids.
Galvez said the first batch of the reformulated Pfizer vaccines is expected to be delivered on February 2, instead of January 31.
The 5-11 age group will receive a 0.2 ml-dose, or lower than the 0.3ml vaccine being given to those aged 12 to 17 years.
Galvez said the minors will also get two doses with a 21-day interval, and a booster three months after they are fully vaccinated. He said the government is buying 15 million booster shots for the young children to be delivered within the year.
He said the fully vaccinated 12-to-17 years-old will also be getting booster shots soon. The adolescents are administered half the dosage of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that given to the adults.
Galvez reassured parents and guardians that the vaccines for children are safe and effective, adding that a vaccination activity on children of the staff members and employees of the United States Embassy in the country, conducted on January 7, showed no adverse effects on the minors.
NTF medical adviser Ted Herbosa asked parents to think of the future of their children. He said studies abroad showed COVID-19 has a long-term effect which could affect a person’s heart, lungs, and even ability to do physical activities in the future.
“What you’re trying to prevent is not just death. We already know children survive easily, but if you have a long COVID, imagine a child who can no longer go into sports, into ballet, into dancing… jump,” he said.
DELIVERY
NTF assistant secretary Wilben Mayor, during the arrival of 1.023 million doses of government-procured Pfizer vaccines on Wednesday night, again urged individuals to get vaccinated.
The country has received 216.54 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since February 2021.
Mayor said the government continues to collaborate with the private sector in make the vaccines more accessible to Filipinos, such as though the “Resbakuna sa Botika” program which was launched in Baguio City Wednesday. It was pilot tested in five pharmacies and two private clinics in Metro Manila last week.
The pharmacies administer booster shots while the private clinics are allowed to administer the primary and booster shots.
Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said as of January 26, about than 125 million doses of vaccines have been administered nationwide, including 6.851 million booster shots.
At least 60 million Filipinos received their first jab while 58.149 million are fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Galvez gave his personal opinion about the decision of Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta not to be vaccinated yet, and publicly disclosing it while waiting for vaccine brand she wants.
He said many people with comorbidities have been vaccinated using the available brands of vaccine in the country, and survived. He said he for instance received the Sinovac vaccine and booster.
He said the Pfizer vaccine has also already been given a certification in the United States that would allow it to be commercially available.
