MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health admitted Saturday that people being picky with vaccine brands is fueling vaccine hesitancy which contributes to the slow rollout of coronavirus jabs in the country. (We think, along with our experts, that these preferences affect confidence in the vaccine.) The national government told local governments this week to stop announcing the vaccine brands they would be administering at vaccination sites in a bid to prevent people from swarming facilities. But this move was met with some opposition from doctors and lawmakers, who argued that the non-disclosure of what vaccine brands would be administered could make an already vaccine hesitant country even more apprehensive. Vergeire, however, sought to allay fears regarding different vaccine brands, reminding the public that all shots cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use are safe and effective.

Source: Philippine Star May 22, 2021 06:45 UTC