The Food and Drug Administration revealed that at least 30% of Filipinos are hesitant in getting the coronavirus vaccine.

In an interview on GMA News, FDA Chief Eric Domingo said that the government must exert all efforts to convince the public on the efficacy of the vaccine.

“Mukhang meron pa rin po talaga. Meron tayong tinatawag na vaccine hesitancy as many as parang 30% of the public, e medyo hindi pa sila sigurado kung gusto nilang magpabakuna,” Domingo said.

“Kailangan po nating ipakita sa kanila at ipadama sa kanila ‘yung safety tsaka ‘yung efficacy data ng mga vaccines tsaka yung kahalagahan ho ng pagbabakuna,” he added.

Domingo said that the entire population should be vaccinated to eradicate COVID-19.

The government eyes to vaccinate 60-70 million Filipinos in the next three to five years.

The World Health Organization said that 60-70% of the population must be vaccinated to get herd immunity against the virus.

Domingo however said that vaccination should be voluntary.

“Ang pagpapabakuna ay completely voluntary at tsaka talaga kailangan po may informed consent. Hindi po puwedeng pilitin ang taong magpabakuna kung ayaw po niya,” he added. (TDT)