Duterte will ‘waive’ Covid vaccine
Published on: Wednesday, April 14, 2021
By:
AFP, ABS CBN News
.jpg "Duterte will ‘waive’ Covid vaccine")
The Guardian pic.
MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (pic) said he will “waive” his chance to get a Covid-19 vaccine, arguing elderly people like him should not be prioritised.Just over one million people in the Philippines have received their first shot since the beginning of March—a fraction of the number needed to reach herd immunity in the country of 110 million.
ADVERTISEMENT
The slow rollout and limited supply have fuelled criticism of the government’s handling of the pandemic as a record surge in infections threatens to overwhelm hospitals in the locked-down capital and surrounding provinces.
The vaccination campaign initially targeted healthcare workers and soldiers, but it has since widened to include the elderly and those with co-morbidities.
While many world leaders received their jab in public to encourage others to get inoculated, Duterte said he would forgo the opportunity.
“I will waive. Whoever wants to get my slot, I will give (it to them),” he said in a pre-recorded speech released Monday.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Let’s prioritise those who, once they get a vaccine, there’s a chance that he would live and live productively,” said the 76-year-old, after a two-week absence from the public eye that fuelled speculation he had Covid-19.
“Most of the senior citizens are no longer that productive.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Vaccines have been a frequent topic in Duterte’s often rambling speeches.
His spokesman Harry Roque has previously walked back on his comments.
In the past, Duterte has suggested he would be willing to be inoculated in public—after saying he would get it in private.
In August, Duterte offered himself up as a guinea pig for the very first jab of the Russian-made vaccine after the Philippines emerged as a frontrunner for overseas clinical trials.
Roque said later Duterte would not receive the inoculation until regulators had guaranteed its safety.
Roque said Tuesday he hoped the president would change his mind about not getting the vaccine.
“Supply is limited. Once supplies come in, maybe that’s the time he will get vaccinated,” Roque told reporters.
Vaccine hesitancy is a significant issue in the Philippines, with a recent survey showing around 60 percent of people unwilling to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday also urged Filipinos to mark the start of Ramadan, Islam’s holy month of fasting and sharing of blessings, by “helping those who are less fortunate and most in need.”
One of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan “reminds us of the value of sacrifice, obedience and charity in our daily lives,” Duterte said in a statement.
“As we mark this holy occasion, I ask everyone to promote solidarity among all Filipinos by manifesting faith through action and by fostering peace, hope and unity as we face the most challenging of times,” said the President.
The Philippines is battling one of Asia’s worst Covid-19 outbreaks. An over yearlong lockdown has left businesses struggling and thousands jobless.
“Let us all come together and channel the spirit of Ramadan by helping those who are less fortunate and most in need,” Duterte said. Muslims make up around 6 percent of the Philippines 100 million people, where 8 in 10 are Catholic, according to official data.
Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed at around the time of Ramadan. It ends with the Eid al-Fitr festival.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
