Filipinos' colonial mentality on vaccine brands slammed

CEBU, Philippines —  The Filipinos’ perceived colonial mentality is affecting the country’s national vaccination program, an official for the country’s vaccination operations said.

“There is the general perception na mas gusto nila ng American brands, nandyan pa rin ang ating colonial mentality na pagka-U.S, gusto natin,” said National Vaccination Operations Center chairperson Dr. Myrna Cabotaje in yesterday’s virtual presser.

Cabotaje said this in reaction to Rep. Joey Salceda’s statement earlier that the government should accept the reality that some Filipinos have some degree of bias towards Western brands.

Along with this, Salceda said the government should consider buying vaccine brands “with popular demand” to avoid vaccination hesitancy.

Cabotaje, however, said it will be up to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez and other decision makers involved in the negotiations and procurement of vaccines to decide on the matter.

However, Cabotaje also said Filipinos should not limit their choices to the Western or American brands.

“We cannot limit to our Western or American brands kasi di naman natin alam yung availability ng vaccines. Supply is still an issue that will be widely available,” said Cabotaje.

Cabotaje said that she does not completely agree that everyone wants Western brands as there are also those that prefer vaccines from other countries, including Russia and China.

“There are still those who like the Russian Sputnik V and the traditional Sinovac. Marami pa rin ang may gusto ng traditional method ng ating inactivated (vaccine) na Sinovac,” said Cabotaje.

Cabotaje also reiterated that there are already some studies that show that all vaccine brands are effective and just differ in the periods of immunity they give.

“Studies are showing na they are all efficacious, they are effective. Tinitingnan lang how long the immunity lasts for these different brands,” said Cabotaje.

Talisay

Meanwhile, the cities of Talisay and Lapu-Lapu have started vaccinating minors aged 12-17.

In a meeting between Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas and officials of Talisay City Health Office, it was agreed that children without comorbidities will be the first ones to be vaccinated.

This, the mayor said, is to ensure that there will be no complications arising from the vaccination.

Gullas said the inoculations will be made in three sites located at Starmall in Barangay Lawaan 1, Gaisano in Barangay San Roque, and gymnasium in Barangay Lagtang.

Talisay City children will be administered with Pfizer vaccine.

Lapu-Lapu

In Lapu-Lapu City, vaccination for 12-17-year-olds also began at the Hoopsdome in Barangay Gun-ob yesterday.

For now, minors can only be vaccinated on a schedule basis. This means they need to receive a text message confirming their schedule as walk-ins are not allowed.

Mayor Junard ‘Ahong’ Chan said that aside from minors, regular vaccination for adults is also ongoing in various vaccination sites of the city.

Chan said barangay vaccinations for the first dose are still ongoing in Poblacion, Buaya, and Pusok.

Here, walk-in vaccinees are accepted, as long as they can present their assigned QR code and proof that they are residents of the city.

For inquiries, Chan urged the public to contact the so-called Ahong Cares hotlines at 09164416690, 09618067946, 09618067941, 09672206071, and 340-2124. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc, and Rowena D. Capistrano, JMD (FREEMAN)