|
 The survey by Pulse Asia conducted between Nov. 23 and Dec. 2, found
that 32% of 2,400 respondents would get a COVID-19 vaccine jab when
available, while 47% would refuse it over safety concerns.
The remaining 21% were undecided, the poll showed.
Nearly all of the respondents said they knew vaccines were being
developed, but 84% were unsure of their safety, highlighting the
challenges the government may face in convincing its people to get
vaccinated.
The Philippines has had difficulties with parents being reluctant to
vaccinate their children after a high-profile scrapping of a dengue
immunisation programme in 2017, following its links to child deaths.
Sanofi's has insisted the vaccine used, Dengvaxia, is safe.
A separate poll on Thursday of 1,500 people by Social Weather
Stations, conducted in late November, showed 91% of Filipinos were
worried about being infected with the coronavirus, up from 85% in
September.
[to top of second column] |
 The government on Wednesday
said it was negotiating with seven vaccine
manufacturers to procure at least 148 million
COVID-19 shots to inoculate close to two-thirds
of its population this year.
The Philippines has so far secured only 2.6
million doses, from AstraZeneca, and its
regulators have yet to approve any COVID-19
vaccines. It is deliberating on emergency use
applications filed by Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
The country, which has recorded more than
482,000 coronavirus cases, among the most in
Asia, hopes to roll out the vaccines as early as
the first quarter.
(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin
Petty)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content |
