Palma, bishops to get COVID-19 vaccine ahead

CEBU, Philippines —  To help boost public confidence on the government’s vaccination program, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said that he and the other bishops decided to be inoculated first to assure the people that the COVID vaccines are safe.

Palma also offered the church facilities as vaccination centers if needed by the government. The prelate admitted the church has already ordered vaccines for them but refused to elaborate how and where.

“We already ordered because we thought that when the vaccine comes, we should set a good example…as I said earlier, we’ve been praying for a medicine to cure the pandemic or stop or control its spread. I will be the first, we the Bishops to be vaccinated,” said Palma.

“So if the vaccine comes tomorrow, I will have it done tomorrow since many are reluctant,” he added.

Asked of their brand preference, Palma said they have not preferred a specific brand since all vaccines have its own merit.

Meanwhile, Palma said the church is fully supporting the government’s vaccination program. In fact, they are willing to allow the government to use church properties as vaccination centers.

Earlier, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced that church facilities may be used as COVID-19 vaccination sites. The Department of Health welcomed the CBCP’s offer.

“We are happy with the CBCP’s offer to have churches as vaccination hubs if needed. Churches really can be alternative sites to areas that lack facility, especially those in hard-to-reach municipalities,” said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

The DOH has been reaching out to several medical and allied health professionals, local government units and other sectors to help in the coming vaccine roll out and in boosting vaccine confidence as the task of vaccinating millions of Filipinos would need the assistance of everyone.

“The move of the CBCP to transform church facilities to vaccination sites will surely expedite delivery of most-needed healthcare services. This also adds up to the public’s uptake on vaccines as the bishops expressed their willingness to get vaccinated. The government cannot do this alone, we need the whole of the society to implement the COVID-19 immunization program. Most importantly, we need the majority to trust vaccines and the processes that it underwent before we approve it for use,” Duque added. — Rowena Capistrano, FPL (FREEMAN)