NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Thursday, March 4, that he is ready to be vaccinated with Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine.
The governor stressed that it is better to be vaccinated than just wear a face mask and face shield.
"There's more protection if you get yourself vaccinated, but of course, we still have to observe health protocols after the vaccination," Lacson added, as he appealed that the second and first level hospitals in the province would also be included as priorities for the vaccine.
Lacson earlier said that he has enlisted for vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine where the province placed an order.
However, there is no word yet as to when the delivery will be made by AstraZeneca.
"If you look at what's happening in Manila especially with private hospitals, St. Luke's Medical Center is even asking for additional vials because after the first day of vaccination with Sinovac, there are more health workers who would like to be vaccinated," Lacson said.
"It's going to be voluntary if you get vaccinated. It's like your travel pass and we don't know yet when the vaccine ordered by the province will arrive," the governor added.
He said there is no word yet from the Department of Health if the province will be getting the Sinovac vaccine that arrived in the country.
"It's part of confidence-building measures, that's why they are targeting the hospitals and frontliners as first to be vaccinated," Lacson said.
"There's no notice for the province and other LGUs, that's why we would like to make an appeal to include second or first level hospitals to be included," he added.
AstraZeneca vaccines of more than 470,000 doses that are expected to arrive in the country Thursday night are still intended for medical frontliners. This is the second batch of Covid-19 vaccines to arrive in the country with 600,000 doses of Sinovac that have arrived first last Sunday.