Go Negosyo launches 'Let’s Go Bakuna' vaccine education campaign

(As released) Vaccines save lives and livelihood. This was the message of the Let’s Go Bakuna campaign amidst vaccine misinformation and hesitancy among Filipinos. The Let’s Go Bakuna campaign was launched on April 30, 2021, led by its chief proponent, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion.

During the launch, Concepcion reiterated the critical role of vaccines in getting the economy back on track following the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. "The success in winning this war is not just in being able to buy the vaccines. It's being able to convince every Filipino out there that it is their duty to get vaccinated. It is like being called to war as a soldier, but the weapon you carry is the vaccine. It protects yourself and it will protect others. This is the solution to saving both lives and livelihood. The vaccine is the solution," said Concepcion.

The Let’s GO Bakuna Campaign provides a platform for Filipinos to discuss issues and answer questions on the COVID-19 vaccine. The campaign also aims to address vaccine hesitancy and to increase vaccine confidence among Filipinos through a series of vaccine education forums, webinars and townhall meetings, and multi-platform information materials based on expert advice and testimonials.

“It will also help communities understand their role in the nationwide vaccination initiative—why getting vaccinated will make a huge impact in accelerating the recovery of the Philippine economy,” said Concepcion.

The campaign is supported by more than 1,000 private sector companies. Related to the campaign is a special episode of Go Negosyo’s coaching and mentoring program Mentor Me Online where panelists will discuss how vaccination affects livelihoods and job generation. The special episode of Mentor Me Online, aired in time for Labor Day, will also give 10 lucky would-be entrepreneurs a Puhunan Pang Negosyo worth P5,000.

“We know that our unemployment rate today is alarming. That’s why we have doubled our efforts in addressing the health issue so we can further open our economy and generate jobs in the process,” Concepcion added.

He said that Go Negosyo, which traditionally focuses on helping Filipino entrepreneurs, pivoted towards focusing on health when it saw the urgency of the situation and how health is always connected with livelihood and the economy.

“We recognize that we have to address this health crisis because it is only through vaccinations that we could save the lives of the Filipino, then ramp up livelihood in the process,” he said.

Concepcion explained that achieving herd immunity through vaccination is the only way the Philippine economy can return to normal and jobs can be restored. He added that wearing face masks and physical distancing only serve to buy time, but are not a long-term solution. As the pandemic and the lockdowns continue to affect the economy, achieving herd immunity has become even more important.

“From the start of the pandemic, we have been doing everything to ensure that the business sector will survive in this pandemic. At this crucial stage, I call on the labor sector to join us in making our employees realize that we need everybody to be able to get through this pandemic. We need to convince our employees that we must take the vaccine so we would be able to save lives and livelihoods,” he said.

On the issue of vaccine safety and effectiveness, Concepcion said that health experts around the world have vouched for the safety, efficacy, and benefit of all approved vaccines. “I understand that many of us are afraid given the false information circulating online. But assure you that before a vaccine is even approved for release, they have gone through three phases of trial and under stringent regulatory processes,” he said.

Concepcion explained that vaccines that have already been approved in their host countries undergo further examination by the Philippines’s Food and Drug Administration.

“I, myself, have been vaccinated because it is my civic duty to do so,” he said. “Every qualified Filipino should be vaccinated not just for themselves, but also for their families and our country,” he said. “It is only by being vaccinated that we can win this battle against COVID-19.” — As released