Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19) — President Rodrigo Duterte is willing to get inoculated with Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine but in private, the Palace said Tuesday.
“Opo [Yes]. And his answer was ‘no problem, I will take the vaccine as soon as it is available’,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque when asked whether the chief executive is willing to receive shots of the Chinese firm’s COVID-19 vaccine.
“Pero ang sabi niya, hindi na kinakailangang ipakita ito sa publiko,” Roque further explained, noting the President will be taking a private route similar to that of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh when they got vaccinated against the disease.
[Translation: But he said it need not be shown to the public.]
A spokesperson for the Buckingham Palace informed the public of the royals’ inoculation, which happened earlier this month.
Roque likewise said they will be announcing the President’s vaccination after it happens.
During Monday’s briefing, the spokesman asked the public to wait for Duterte’s decision on whether he will get the first COVID-19 vaccine shot.
A recent survey by Pulse Asia revealed almost half of Filipinos said they will opt out of COVID-19 vaccination, mainly citing safety concerns.
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