Duterte: Investigation Launched into 9 Local Officials for 'Vaccine Queue Jumping'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an investigation into at least nine local government heads, including mayors, who received COVID-19 vaccines through 'queue-jumping'.

According to the AP News on the 25th (local time), President Duterte announced this during a cabinet meeting the previous day and said, "Besides them, the son of a celebrity also received the vaccine before his turn came."

The Philippines is currently vaccinating healthcare workers. President Duterte warned, "If healthcare workers are not given priority in vaccination, we may not receive vaccines from the COVAX Facility led by the World Health Organization (WHO)," AP News reported.

In addition to COVAX, the Philippines also received COVID-19 vaccine donations from China. AP News stated, "The Philippine government's goal to vaccinate 70 million adults is gradually being delayed," adding, "The next groups to be vaccinated are the elderly, asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, and the impoverished."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.