HALF of adult Filipinos have expressed confidence in the government’s assessment of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines, according to a survey released Thursday, May 20, by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
The survey, conducted from April 28 to May 2, 2021 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above), showed that 51 percent of the respondents were confident, 31 percent were uncertain, and 17 percent were not confident about the government’s evaluation of the Covid-19 vaccines.
Of the 51 percent who expressed confidence, 18 percent of them were “very confident” and 34 percent (correctly rounded) were “somewhat confident.”
Confidence in the government's evaluation was highest in Mindanao at 58 percent, followed by the Visayas (55 percent, correctly rounded), Metro Manila (49 percent, correctly rounded), and Balance Luzon (47 percent).
The SWS survey also showed that 58 percent of those very confident about the evaluation are willing to be vaccinated.
The willingness to be inoculated with Covid-19 vaccine was highest in Metro Manila at 41 percent, followed by Mindanao (34 percent), the Visayas (32 percent), and Balance Luzon (28 percent).
Among those who expressed willingness to get jabbed were college graduates, at 50 percent, followed by junior high school graduates (34 percent, correctly rounded), elementary graduates (25 percent), and non-elementary graduates (25 percent).
The SWS clarified, however, that confidence in the government's evaluation of the vaccines does not depend on the respondent’s educational level.
It said those who expressed willingness to be vaccinated cited personal protection and prevention as their top reasons.
Meanwhile, those who were uncertain and unwilling about getting vaccinated cited their fear of possible side effects as top reason, while others believe that the Covid-19 vaccines are not safe and effective.
The government has been asking the public to trust the Covid-19 vaccines, stressing they are safe and effective.
In a press briefing Friday, May 21, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reiterated that the Covid-19 vaccines provided to the Philippines and other areas in the world have undergone rigorous evaluation by experts.
“Hindi lamang po iyan dumaan sa proseso sa Pilipinas, dumaan din yan sa proseso abroad dahil mayroon din pong WHO (World Health Organization) emergency use list na halos lahat naman po ng ginagamit natin ay dumaan din doon sa proseso ng WHO,” Roque said.
(All the vaccines we’re using have undergone the World Health Organization’s process and were given emergency use authorization.)
"Ang pinakaligtas na bakuna ay ang bakunang nasa inyong braso, anumang brand po iyan. Dahil lahat naman po iyan ay dumaan sa masusing pag-aaral at lahat po iyan ay napatunayang ligtas at epektibo," he added.
(The safest vaccine is the one that’s available regardless of the brand. All Covid-19 vaccines have passed through a rigorous process and all were proven safe and effective.)
He said Malacañang is happy to know about the increase in vaccine confidence among Filipinos, and vowed that the government will not stop until all citizens are given the shots.
“Ang importante po ay ang bawat Pilipino ay mabakunahan (What’s important is that all Filipinos will be vaccinated),” he said.
Roque added that about 4,253,450 vaccine doses have already been delivered to the Philippines this month, and more vaccines are coming to help the Philippines achieve herd immunity by the fourth quarter of 2021. (SunStar Philippines)