Manila to provide Sinovac vaccines to vendors, drivers 

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said the city’s “economic drivers” — market vendors and public transportation drivers — will be the first to get the Sinovac COVID-19 jabs should the China-made vaccines be the first to be delivered in the capital city, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

This after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said CoronaVac, the COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac, is not recommended for health workers and senior citizens due to its varying levels of efficacy.

Sinovac was issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA on Monday, Feb. 22.

Domagoso said vaccinating market vendors and public transportation drivers will help boost consumer confidence, and later, the economy.

“[Aside from health], mayroon tayong isang nadi-disgrasya (Another aspect is affected) which is the economy,” he said in a live broadcast on TikTok on Monday, Feb. 22.

“We really have to address the economy. Kailangan i-balance ‘yung kabuhayan at ‘yung buhay ng tao (we really need to balance the people’s lives and their livelihood),” he added.

The Manila mayor said the vaccines will be administered free of charge and will not be mandatory.

He also said that he is willing to be the first person in the city to be inoculated with CoronaVac to ease the public’s worries.