NTF spox cites 3 reasons for vax hesitancy among Filipinos

The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 on Saturday cited several reasons why there are still Filipinos who are unwilling to get vaccinated against coronavirus.

“Marami pa rin ang naniniwala sa maling balita lalo na sa ilang probinsya natin” (Several people, especially in the provinces,  still believe in false news), NTF spokesperson Restituto Padilla Jr. said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

Padilla said there are three reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the population:

One is a group’s culture or norms. “Sinasabi nila na sa kanilang kultura bawal ‘yan” (their culture prohibits vaccination). 

Second, “’yung mga maling balita na nakukuha nila katulad ng mga inilabas ng anti-vaxxers na siya namang nakikita ng ating mga kababayan” (the false news that anti-vaxxers are propagating).  

Third are the events related to vaccination in the past such as the Dengvaxia controversy.

“So itong mga bagay na ito ay nasa isipan pa rin ng ating mga kababayan na nagdudulot ng hesitancy” (These things are in the minds of Filipinos, leading to vaccine hesitancy), he said. 

Padilla’s statement came on the heels of the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll showing that 64% of adult Filipinos were willing to get vaccinated, while 18% were unwilling, and 19% uncertain. 

To further increase coverage rates, the government is now discussing how it can implement a mandatory vaccination against COVID-19. 

On Friday, the Department of Health (DOH) expressed support for the mandatory vaccination of specific vulnerable sectors against COVID-19, saying it is needed to achieve population protection.

Vaccine czar and NTF Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday said he is now in favor of mandatory vaccination against COVID-19, and that an executive order from President Rodrigo Duterte may be sufficient for it. —LBG, GMA News

NTF spox cites 3 reasons for vax hesitancy among Filipinos
Source: Filipino Viral News PH