McDonalds PHL to give workers free jabss

McDonald’s PHL to give workers free jabs

By Chrisee Jalyssa dela Paz

McDonald’s Philippines is one of several private companies that will provide free COVID-19 vaccines for its employees, to complement and accelerate the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout. This forms part of the whole-of-government, wholeof-society approach that the national government has employed in its COVID-19 response.

“We [McDonald’s] have procured enough vaccines for our employees for free,” McDonald’s Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Yang told over 300 employees and franchisees who attended a vaccination webinar, held on February 24, 2021. “We will also help our supplier partners and franchisees to secure vaccines for their organization. We will certainly point you to the right agency. [Being vaccinated against COVID-19] is something we owe not just to ourselves but to the society. This will help the country get back on its feet and rebuild what we have lost during this pandemic.”

The vaccination webinar is part of the fast-food chain’s efforts to help the government fight the pandemic through the national vaccination rollout program. National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar Vince Dizon, Department of Health (DOH) Director Dr. Beverly Ho, and member of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) Dr. Nina Castillo-Carandang, joined the virtual event to address concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, and to provide updates on the government’s vaccination rollout.

Despite the limited global supply of COVID-19 vaccines, Dizon said the Philippines is still on track to vaccinate up to 50 million Filipinos by the end of the year: “About 80% of the vaccine supply for 2021 has already been taken up by more developed countries. Despite the challenge, we are ready in terms of supply and rollout.”

He added, “The major driver of the nationwide rollout will be the local government units [LGUs]. The national government has also partnered with the private sector in terms of proper handling of the vaccines.”

Safety inside the camp

Although the government has ramped up efforts to secure COVID-19 vaccines, concerns and public skepticism about the safety and efficacy of available vaccines remain.

Citing surveys conducted by her group, Dr. Carandang said, “In the Philippines, 49.8% of individuals reported they will get a vaccine once available. Most likely, influencers who will help increase vaccine acceptance are the World Health Organization (61%), health workers (53%), family and friends (44%), and politicians (24%).”

Dr. Carandang added that NITAG would like the general population to achieve high and equitable uptake of COVID-19 vaccines by acquiring information from trusted sources, emphasizing the need to engage with local communities.

Message of love

For Dr. Ho, the common goal of public and private sectors is to ensure that all eligible Filipinos will be vaccinated. Dr. Ho assured that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines far outweigh the potential risks of adverse reactions, as well as the risk of developing severe COVID-19 or death.

“Majority of COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions are mild,” Dr. Ho said. “Reactogenic reactions include pain, tenderness, and swelling, and can be managed with supportive care. Mild allergic reactions, such as rashes, can be managed with antihistamines.” She said that vaccination centers are well-equipped with the proper medications necessary to manage immediate allergic reactions.

Doctor Ho added that while vaccine development is a long and complex process, which takes 10 to 15 years, “scientists globally and locally agreed that the EUA (emergency use authorization) approved COVID-19 vaccines today are safe and efficacious. We are in a state of emergency. At this point, the benefits of these vaccines outweigh the risks. Once you decline [to get inoculated], you just need to know it might take a while before you get your turn.”

Vaccine experts concluded the webinar by urging McDonald’s employees and franchisees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, not just for themselves, but also for their loved ones and the community.

“It is a message of love not of self care.” Dr. Carandang said. “You can make an informed choice. It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. It is not only for you. It is for everybody else.”