Tacloban mayor vaccinated despite priority concerns

Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez received the Sinovac vaccine on March 22, stating his intention was to address vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers and the public.

He decided to get vaccinated after learning that even the City Health Office chief was reluctant to take the jab due to negative information.

Romualdez, a COVID-19 survivor, aimed to demonstrate the vaccine's safety and efficacy, especially since only 85 of 160 medical workers in Tacloban were initially willing to be inoculated.

Following his vaccination and experiencing no adverse effects, the City Health Office chief was eventually convinced to get vaccinated.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the matter would be investigated, as medical workers remain the top priority for the available vaccines.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is preparing a show-cause order for the mayor to explain his vaccination.