More than 1,200 seafarers received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in a symbolic vaccination at Palacio de Maynila in Malate on Thursday.
Namely, United States-made Pfizer-BioNTech jabs were used to inoculate the Filipino seamen as it is the required brand in their destinations, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
There is no prohibition here because there is a reason why we should use Pfizer vaccine for our seamen because if they are not given that brand, they will not be able to board their ships. Therefore, they will not be able to work.
….he explained.
What is more, Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte made the decision to give the US-made jabs to the seafarers. The seafarers who got their initial shots were from Magsaysay Maritime Corporation and are scheduled to leave soon.
Testing czar Secretary Vince Dizon said that the workers’ sector is the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with the vaccination of seafarers, he hopes it will help jumpstart economic recovery.
Concluding, Dizon also reported that over 115,000 were vaccinated Wednesday in Metro Manila alone, while in the city of Manila, he said 27,000 received jabs.
