MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Three of the country’s major communication groups – International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC Philippines), International Public Relations Association Philippines (IPRA Philippines), and the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) are joining forces to ramp up COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the Philippines.
On April 20, 2021, Tuesday, 4 p.m., the three organizations will jointly host “Vax Populi: Driving COVID-19 Acceptance”, a free webinar that aims to equip communicators in crafting vaccine rollout communication plans, provide a platform for public-private collaboration on vaccine awareness and acceptance, and increase vaccine acceptance levels among webinar participants.
Only 19% of adult Filipinos are open to being vaccinated against COVID-19, while 46% are unwilling, even if an effective and safe vaccine is available, a February 2021 study by OCTA Research showed.
Vax Populi will feature three speakers: Margot Torres, McDonald’s Philippines Managing Director and co-lead of Ingat Angat (a private sector-led consumer confidence and vaccine education campaign), who will discuss private sector efforts in the fight against COVID-19; Dr. Beverly Ho, Health Promotion Bureau Chief of the Department of Health, will discuss how communication can help the country achieve herd immunity; and Dr. Mario Panaligan, Philippine College of Physicians President, who will help laymanize vaccine facts and debunk myths surrounding the vaccines.
Registration for Vax Populi is still ongoing. Webinar details will be shared to participants upon registration and completion of a pre-event survey (https://forms.gle/W92BTukQ29JrrdHb7).
