The coronavirus illness (COVID-19) was initially discovered in Wuhan, China, towards the end of

December 2019, and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a pandemic on March
12, 2020. The virus has infected nearly every country, resulting in more than 140 million
infections and at least 3.0 million fatalities worldwide. More than 900,000 cases and 15,000
deaths have been confirmed in the Philippines.
Because antivirals and therapeutic remedies for the virus had not yet been identified, minimum
health-standard precautions were implemented to prevent the infection's spread. Face masks
and physical separation were required of the public. Strict quarantine precautions were
adopted in numerous cases, especially when illnesses spread swiftly. While these defenses are
impressive, they are unable to totally stop COVID-19 from spreading. Vaccination is regarded as
a significant supplementary weapon and the most effective method of controlling COVID-19
virus infection and dissemination. The virus's fast increasing worldwide infection rate has
compelled international governments and organizations to manufacture vaccinations as quickly
as feasible.
Initially, the Philippine government planned to begin its vaccine campaign in February 2021. To
achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, the government aimed to procure at least 148 million
vaccine doses and vaccinate 50 million to 70 million Filipinos within the year (Tomacruz, 2021).
The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) is also optimistic that the country will receive
around 44 million doses through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) program, which
"provides governments with the opportunity to benefit from a large portfolio of COVID-19
candidate vaccines using a range of technology platforms, produced by more manufacturers
around the world, with a larger market to provide demand security" (DOH, 2021).
Even though immunization has successfully reduced the global burden of illness and death,
public confidence in vaccines can be affected by various concerns. Concern about vaccines has
been growing worldwide, with several factors being found responsible for vaccine acceptancy
when a new vaccine is developed. Even the WHO has identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the
top ten threats to global health.
There are several variables that contribute to vaccination refusal. The vaccine's safety and
efficacy, as well as its adverse effects, vaccination myths, and a lack of awareness, are all
elements that contribute to vaccine apprehension. Vaccine apprehension and misinformation
have created significant barriers to obtaining coverage and herd immunity, putting public
health at risk, particularly if it continues during the current crisis. In many situations, people's
reluctance to be vaccinated or to have their children get vaccinated has resulted in isolated
epidemics of vaccine-preventable illnesses.
To prepare for optimum efficacy when a vaccine is ready, the WHO has advocated a preventive
plan to combat vaccination reluctance and create trust in a vaccine. To establish herd
immunity, efficient and successful distribution and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations among
the general people is a critical problem. As evidenced by numerous research, previous
unfavorable attitudes against vaccinations have had a detrimental impact on the public's
willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 using an authorized vaccine. Authorities must
understand the public's readiness to accept vaccinations, as well as the reasons for any
reluctance, in order to develop a successful immunization program.
Perceived risk on the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines are indeed significant
factors that affect the respondents’ willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Elaborate health
education and vaccine promotion should be conducted to improve vaccine acceptance during
the COVID-19 inoculation programs, especially that the most preferred brands are not all
available. In addition, the government must also target the head of the families, doctors and
medical practitioners, and Church personalities and make them primary influences to
encourage more people to be vaccinated because vaccination is the most important thing we
can do to protect ourselves and help our country rise up from the pandemic.

References:
World Health Organization. (2021). Draft landscape and tracker of COVID-19 candidate
vaccines. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/draft-landscape-of-covid-
19-candidate-vaccines
Tomacruz, S. (2021). Philippines eyes start of COVID-19 vaccine rollout by end-February 2021.
Retrieved from: Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-eyes-start-coronavirus-
vaccine-rollout-end-february-2021
Bautista Jr., A.P.; Bleza, D.G.; Balibrea, D.M.; Equiza, C. (2021). Acceptability of Vaccination
Against COVID-19. Retrieved from: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202104.0702/v1

Members:
Arquiola, Gidhyl
Gotostos, Carlecio