A Matter of Choice: Vaccine Hesitancy, Herd Immunity, or Economic Recovery

President Rodrigo Duterte reminded the public not to be particular about the vaccine they hope to receive during his pre-recorded briefing, which aired on Tuesday.

“Di’ba sabi ko there will be no discrimination at saka hindi kayo makapili kung ano ang bakuna. Pareho lahat yan,” (“I have said it, there will be no discrimination and you cannot choose what vaccine brand. They are all the same,”) said Duterte.

“Karamihan yung meron, naghihintay ng mga US, Moderna, Pfizer. Sabi ko, hindi mangyayari yan. Kung ano ang nasa harapan nyo, ke milyonaryo ang mamili, ang mamili ay si Secretary Galvez,” (“Most of the affluent, they are waiting for the US, Moderna, Pfizer. I said that would not happen. What’s laid in front of you, whether the one choosing is a millionaire, the one choosing is Secretary Galvez,”) he added.

Earlier this week people flocked to a Parañaque City vaccination center after it was announced that the local government unit (LGU) was going to be distributing the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Of the vaccines that have been developed, Pfizer-BioNTech is known to have among the highest stated efficacy during phase 3 trials at 95%. Moderna follows at 94% efficacy.

These vaccine brands have been widely used in richer countries like the United States and Israel, which have proven to be successful at combatting the current health crisis.

In this light, it’s no wonder the availability of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was well-received by a lot of people. More so by individuals who have been holding off getting inoculated with Sinovac or AstraZeneca, both of which have been readily available since early March.

This apparent bias — or being “choosy” as the Palace has dubbed it — for different vaccine brands is heavily rooted in people wanting to get the “right” vaccine for themselves. They would much rather go for a brand with a proven safety track record clear of any potential complications. AstraZeneca, which has an efficacy of 70%, was previously riddled with blood clotting cases but these incidents have since been declared to be rare.

For the most part, the national vaccination rollout has been free for everyone through their respective LGUs. However, certain people have expressed their willingness to pay for a jab if it means getting either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.

Vaccine hesitancy, widely perceived to be brand-related, remains a rampant issue within the country. The Palace has reported that approximately 30% of Filipinos are still reluctant to get vaccinated, while other sources have claimed that these figures are fairly close to reaching half of the population.

Regardless, the government has missed countless opportunities to significantly bolster confidence in getting inoculated. In retrospect, Duterte’s own vaccination which happened a few weeks ago is among these wasted instances. It was sudden and unannounced, catching the majority of the country off guard. It’s also important to note that the President was injected with a dose of the Sinopharm vaccine.

Duterte has been vocal about his preference for Sinopharm over the Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccine brands, running in contradiction with his call for the public not to be picky. This further dwindles confidence in the vaccines that are widely available in the country.

Sinopharm ranks fourth in efficacy trials at 79%. Moreover, the President’s vaccination has also been shrouded in controversy, especially in terms of its legality. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had not yet permitted an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Sinopharm. Although, it was covered by a compassionate special permit. This has since put the question of legality to rest.

Nonetheless, Duterte’s vaccination still falls in stark contrast to how other world leaders utilized their inoculations. US President Joe Biden, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong all made their vaccinations transparent for their countries to see. They used their experiences as tools to send a message, showcasing the safety and necessity of vaccines.

When it comes to vaccinations, time is of the essence. More particularly because of the logistics involved in storing and distributing the vaccines. Ultimately, the country’s hopes of moving closer towards herd immunity continue to be hampered as long as vaccine hesitancy persists.

To resolve this issue, the government has proposed a “brand agnostic” approach in vaccination facilities. This means vaccine brands won’t be disclosed until people are already in line to receive them. However, getting inoculated is still very much a medical procedure preserving the right to be informed. A person may choose to decline a vaccine and simply line up again another day.

It may seem too much of a hassle but, for now, it’s the only solution being considered. Each day that passes under the global pandemic significantly prolongs the Philippines’ economic agony.

Regarding the question of whether Filipinos are allowed to choose their vaccines: time and again the government has expressed that no one can choose, but no one can be forced as well. It’s generally true that “any vaccine is better than no vaccine,” but getting inoculated is also a personal choice.

Needless to say: the faster the country reaches herd immunity — especially within the NCR Plus bubble and other major business hubs — the faster the economy will enter a much better shape to re-operate without the added stress of potential lockdowns. Recovery lies in the vaccines.

References: PhilStar, Rappler, Inquirer, ABS CBN, CNN PH