Duque will not get Sinovac jab due to age

BY ANALOU DE VERA

Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Francisco Duque III will not be vaccinated with the Sinovac Biotech’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine after all.

In a statement Sunday night, the DoH stressed that Duque can’t be inoculated using the Sinovac vaccine due to his age. The Health chief is already 64-years-old.

“FTD (Francisco T. Duque) will not be vaccinated with Sinovac as EUA (emergency use authorization) provisions exclude 60 and above,” the DoH said.

“He also underscores that we will follow the prioritization framework, and will ensure that limited doses will go to the HCWs (healthcare workers) first,” it added.

The statement was issued to clarify the assertion of Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said that Duque and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. will get their anti-COVID-19 shots using the Sinovac vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration granted an EUA to Sinovac last Feb. 22. The use of this vaccine is recommended for people aged 18 to 59. (Analou de Vera)