Duque says he accepts Go challenge to be first recipient of COVID-19 vaccine

December 7, 2020

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday accepted the challenge of Senator Bong Go saying he is willing to be the first one to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to allay fears of the public.

“Yes. Definitely, that’s no brainer. I take it for as long as it just undergone the scientific evaluation by the DOST’s (Department of Science and Technology) vaccine experts panel and the ethics board review and the FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) own technical and regulatory evaluation. I’ll take it,” Duque said in a TV interview.

Duque also urged other Cabinet members to join him once the vaccine is already ready.

“I encouraged all my fellow Cabinet members and other officials of government to join him,” he said.

On Saturday, Go challenged vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez and Duque to be the first to take the COVID-19 injection once it is available in the country.

"I’m challenging Secretary Galvez, once the safe vaccine is already available he should show (to the people) along with Secretary Duque, they are the first who will be injected with the vaccine once it is already safe to encourage others," he said during the public briefing on Saturday.

Go emphasized the importance of assuring the safety of the vaccine because he confirmed that there are many people who are still afraid of the possible effect of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Once the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine has been confirmed, Go called on Galvez to prioritize the vulnerable and poor sectors of the society. Ella Dionisio/DMS