Mayor Isko won’t jump the vaccine line: ‘I’ll wait for my turn’

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is raring to get inoculated against the new coronavirus disease.

In a Facebook post, the local chief executive said he wanted to take the Sinovac vaccine but will wait for his turn.

The government is prioritizing medical frontliners in the distribution of the initial batch COVID-19 vaccines, that arrived in the country last weekend. Around 200,000 health workers are estimated to get vaccine priority under the Sinovac immunization.

Mayor Isko explained his willingness to get vaccinated after being exposed to COVID-19 carriers in the past. He said he and other mayors are vulnerable to infection due to the nature of their job.

“Gustong-gusto ko na magpabakuna ng Sinovac. Pitong beses na akong na-expose sa COVID-19 positive. Salamat sa Diyos, pitong beses na rin akong nag-negative. Araw-araw akong nasa risk tulad ng ibang mga mayor,” the Manila mayor said.

But Mayor Isko has no intention of jumping ahead of the vaccination line.

“Pero patuloy pa rin tayong susunod sa national policy na unahin ang mga medical frontliner. I will wait for my turn,” he added.

More than 160 health workers have so far been vaccinated during the rollout held at Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila, according to the mayor.

Among the vaccine recipients are Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Manila Health Department Director Dr. Poks Pangan, Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Nerissa Sescon and the LGU hospital directors.

Mayor Isko thanked the health workers who expressed readiness to take the Sinovac vaccine.

“#VaccineNationIsTheSolution kaya maraming salamat sa ating HCWs para sa inyong willingness na magpabakuna. Ito’y magbibigay sa inyo ng karagdagang proteksyon kontra COVID-19!” he said.

“Pinasasalamatan din po natin ang national government sa pagtitiyak ng alokasyon ng Lungsod ng Maynila sa mga bakunang nakarating na sa bansa. Mga Batang Maynila, nagsisimula pa lamang po tayo. Narito na ang pag-asa, sama-sama po nating pagtagumpayan ang laban sa COVID-19!” he said.