With COVID-19 still threatening the world, vaccines were developed to prevent its spread. However Filipinos are still doubtful whether these vaccines could do actually work. And with the Philippine government implying mandatory vaccination, many citizens are scared because of the unknown side effects on different types of body.
In Monday’s episode of “Online U”, a segment of “It’s Showtime”, hosts Janine Berdin, Eris Aragoza, Luke Conde, and Ana Ramsey tackled the administration’s imposition of mandatory vaccination.
Janine encouraged people to take the vaccine to protect themselves against the deadly Coronavirus.
“I encourage people to take the vaccine kasi nakikita ko naman na proven talaga sya. And it’s for the betterment of everyone,” she said.
However, she did not agree with the government forcing people to take the vaccine. For Janine, individuals should have the right to express their freedom to choose whether or not they will be vaccinated.
“Pero hindi ako agree na forced. I feel dapat may choice pa rin tayo kasi atin yun eh. Pero ine-encourage ko yung mga tao to have it,” Janine added.
Meanwhile, BidaMan Eris Aragoza relayed the majority of Filipinos’ thought: why would they receive the vaccine when they do not have the coronavirus.
“Yung iba kasi ayaw talaga no? Yung ibang tao na, ‘wala naman akong covid bakit ako magpapa-vaccine.’ Tama yung sinabi ni Janine na dapat may choice. Kung gusto, gusto. Kung ayaw, edi wag,” he said.
Contrary to what most Filipinos think, vaccines can help prevent the contraction of the deadly virus. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting vaccinated is the best way to help prevent getting the coronavirus. Experts have concluded that getting COVID-19 vaccines can help prevent contracting severe illness after being infected. Furthermore, CDC has assured that COVID-19 vaccination “will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.”
This means that the human body, with the help of the vaccine, will develop antibodies that would lessen the possibility of getting infected.
Nevertheless, the group focused on mandatory vaccination by the government. Co-host Luke Conde stressed that the administration should consider the opinion of their constituents.
“Kasi kailangan din nating i-consider di ba? Kasi may mga tao na ayaw sa ganitong brand. Marami yan eh. Kumbaga choice pa rin dapat natin. We encourage pero at least dapat may freedom tayo to choose what brand or whether when we are going to take it,” he said.
His co-host Ana also agrees with what he said. The decision of what vaccine to be injected into one’s body should be their choice.
“Agree ako dyan. Kasi lagi tayong may choice. Syempre unang-una, body natin ‘to. Tayo ang nagmamay-ari nito. So tayo ang may karapatang magdesisyon kung ano ba ang gusto natin for our body. Pero yun na nga, tayo rin ang may karapatan kung anong vaccine ba yan talaga. Kung anong specific na vaccine ang gagamitin for me, I have the right because this is my body.”
