The government has approved the vaccination of all Philippine national athletes, including those who will not join this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam later this year.
“This is another great news for our national athletes and all of the Philippine sports,” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino said in a statement.
The vaccination will take place after SEA Games-bound and Olympic Games-bound athletes were inoculated at the Prince Hotel in Manila.
“We thank the government for putting priority on our athletes and coaches for the vaccine rollout,” said Tolentino.
There are close to 1,600 athletes and coaches in the national team and pool on the Philippine Sports Commissions roster, including para-athletes.
More than half of the 730 athletes bound for the Tokyo Olympics and SEA Games in Vietnam got their first dose of the Sinovac vaccine on May 28. Those based in provinces or abroad who missed the vaccination can join the next round of inoculation.
Among those who were inoculated last Friday were 16 members of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team, including coach Jong Uichico.
Tolentino said the vaccination program will be extended to every athlete regardless of whether they will join the SEA Games or not.
“And this—the absolute vaccination of all national athletes—whether or not they are going to Hanoi—is a relief for Philippine sports.”
The date and the venue of the next round of vaccinations will be announced soon.
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