Enough of state-sponsored sarcasm! The people needs COVID19 vaccination and its distribution!

Enough of state-sponsored sarcasm!
The people needs COVID19 vaccination and its distribution!

On behalf of those concerned, this note urges the Filipino folk to get COVID19 vaccination. 

For despite the fears brought by the Dengvaxia scare during the past administration, it is to the greater interest of public health and sanitation that in fighting this COVID19 pandemic that as many people be vaccinated, basing on scientific information as well as findings of international regulatory bodies concerning the efficacy and safety of vaccines such as those developed by various pharmaceutical companies. 

However, it is also to be respected those who have the right to refuse of not getting vaccinated all due to their personal reasons. But in line with the health campaign to prevent the spread of  infections caused by COVID19, various agencies, groups, and individuals must raise the awareness of the crucial responsibility of the state to provide the people affordable, if not free access to vaccines to ensure that the large majority of the population are to be immunised from the disease. 

At present, a number of countries have already put into place plans to provide vaccination programs with various pharmaceutical companies (Gamelaya, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sinovac...) willing to offer their vaccines to countries like China, Russia, the United States, among others. Even countries like Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Cuba, have developed their own vaccines and are set for distribution.

But as for the Philippines, efforts in acquiring vaccines has been mired in controversy due to Duterte's half-hearted program to control the disease. Other than without a comprehensive plan for mass vaccination and the allotment of 2.7% of the required 72 million pesos for the "purpose" of vaccinating 60% of Filipinos, officials have to compete in the "Race" to earn their kickbacks and win contracts. The recent unauthorized vaccination of the "Presidential Security Group" as well as some members of the cabinet using smuggled vaccines has created an ire, offending the supposed frontliners-the health workers, and the Filipino folk.   

Furthermore, Duterte's last year's statement "offering a reward" for Filipinos to invent a vaccine for COVID19 has mocked the Philippine Scientific Community knowing that the government has done nothing to help raise the country's capacity to conduct research and development in creating not just vaccines but also provide necessary treatments for the affected. As of this present, the use of virgin coconut oil as a potential antiviral agent is promoted to alleviate symptoms brought by the disease while Lagundi and Tawa Tawa, two known potential medicinal herbs against COVID19, has still undergoing studies. 

As the number of countries acting seriously and coordinatedly in pursuit of controlling and eradicating this COVID19 pandemic, the Duterte administration's lack of clear plan such as to acquire enough vaccines has forced local government units, and private institutions to acquire on their own, what more of their preferred distributor over those from the administration's preference such as China-based Sinovac. 

It is not surprising as this half-hearted program to control the disease or should say the administration's sarcastically-treated action has boiled down to the thought of "how to make Filipinos given immunity and treatment for COVID19 patients" versus "the use of pandemic as a deterrent, a fear" just to promote their 'new normal' that's based on repression, alongside its existing drug war and its rants against the opposition. 
But despite this, it is the duty of the concerned to demand the need for ensuring health, that amidst this COVID19 pandemic, that along with the immediate support for frontliners, the concerned urges state authorities to provide a sound COVID19 vaccination program.