Duterte prioritizes seafarers, OFWs for Western COVID-19 vaccine brands

Updated Tue, June 1, 2021 at 5:03 PM Published Tue, June 1, 2021 at 1:14 AM

President Rodrigo Duterte has directed vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to prioritize seafarers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for vaccination with Western-brand COVID-19 vaccines.

This directive addresses the requirement of some employers who only accept workers inoculated with American-made vaccines.

Duterte stated there is no violation of the equal protection clause as the nature of their work requires these specific vaccines.

He also asserted that all vaccine brands, including Chinese-made ones, are effective and not inferior to Western brands.

Seafarers have expressed a preference for vaccines authorized in the European Union, such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, due to their work assignments.

A total of 500,000 vaccine doses are being requested to ensure all eventualities are covered for seafarers.

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