BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said he is ready to be vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine in order to boost the public’s confidence.

Lacson stressed that it is better to be vaccinated than just wearing 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,” he said.

Lacson is also appealing to the second and first level hospitals in Negros Occidental to participate in the vaccination as they were included in the government’s priorities.

Lacson earlier said that he has enlisted for vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine where the province placed an order.

However, as there is still no word as to when it would be delivered, the governor did not discount the possibility of using Sinovac instead.

“If you look at what is 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,” he pointed out.

AstraZeneca vaccines of more than 487,000 doses were expected to arrive yesterday.

Although there has been no decision yet as to where it could be distributed, the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group is already eyeing to use it on senior healthcare workers who were unable to receive the vaccine made by Sinovac.

Two days after the vaccine’s rollout in the country last Monday, around 8,559 health workers have already received their first of two jabs./DGB, WDJ