Brand preferences fuel vaccine hesitancy in PH

Filipinos' brand preferences have fueled vaccine hesitancy in the country, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that these preferences affect people's confidence in vaccines.

The DOH implemented a policy for local governments to only disclose available COVID-19 vaccine brands at vaccination sites to prevent crowding for preferred brands.

Dr. Anna Lisa Ong-Lim, an infectious disease expert from the DOH-TAG, previously explained that vaccine efficacy rates are 'very fluid' and should not be the sole basis for brand preference.

She also noted that trial circumstances influence efficacy results, making direct comparisons difficult.

Vergeire emphasized that vaccines approved for emergency use in the Philippines have undergone a stringent safety and effectiveness regulatory process.

A recent Social Weather Stations survey revealed that only 32% of adult Filipinos are willing to get vaccinated, with fear of side effects being the top reason.