DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Davao City Government sees the need to intensify information campaign on the COVID-19 vaccine as a recent survey showed nearly half of Mindanaoans are hesitant to be vaccinated.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Caprio said the public concern on the vaccine is valid. “It is natural to have this concern especially that these vaccines were developed quickly because of the pandemic. It is understandable,” she said in her regular interview to DXQQ Disaster Radio on Monday.
A recent survey by Pulse Asia among 2,400 respondents taken from November 23 to December 2, 2020 showed that 48% of Mindanawons are not willing to be vaccinated. Visayas ranked first in the survey with 55% unwilling to be vaccinated.
The nationwide tally showed only 32% are willing to be inoculated. 84% cited safety on the vaccine as the reason for such concern. Most of those who refused come from socio-economic class E with 55%.
Another survey by Social Weather Station held last September 2020 showed a higher percentage or 66% of Filipinos willing to be inoculated. The public’s trust on vaccine waned following the Dengvaxia controversy, where people were misinformed about the deaths of children after being treated with the anti-dengue vaccine.
This survey comes before the recent issues were raised concerning the national government’s procurement of Sinovac’s vaccine from China, which has a low efficacy rate compared to AstraZeneca which the government has also procured.
Duterte-Carpio said with this concern, the city government will need to step up its information campaign at the grassroots level and help the Department of Health in disseminating information.
The city government has tapped the Disaster Radio to communicate about updates on its handling of the pandemic.
The Davao City government has announced it has secured vaccines from AstraZeneca to augment the national immunization program, which is expected to be delivered by the third quarter of 2021. It is also negotiating with other companies to obtain additional vaccines.
READ: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine coming to Davao City by 3rd quarter
Mayor Duterte is considering a pre-registration for Davaoeños who wanted to avail of the vaccine which can be done through online registration.
The city council is also conducting public hearings on its ordinance to implement its mandatory immunization program. (davaotoday.com)
coronavirus, covid-19, davao city, Health Crisis, Mayor Sara Duterte-Caprio, pandemic, Vaccine
