HEADS UP: Who's Afraid of the Sinovac Vaccine? (March 2)

Here's a Heads Up from Reportr.World on news that you need to know today, March 2:

TOP STORIES

• The Philippines' COVID vaccine program kicked off yesterday using Sinovac jabs from China. The first recipient: Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, head of the Philippine General Hospital.
• Nurse Chareluck Santos delivered the shot to Legaspi, nervous yet optimistic. It's the country's mood.
• Sinovac was an instant trending topic, with Twitter users questioning its 50% efficacy rate. What does data say about the vaccine?
• The vaccines will be rolled our to the regions this week -- to the Visayas by March 3 and Mindanao on March 5.
• Health frontliners can choose the brand of vaccine they will get. This will not forefit their place in the priority line.
• Sinovac's Chinese peer, Sinopharm, also sought emergency use authority for its COVID vaccines.

METRO-REGIONS

• The National Museum reopens today. Make sure to book one day in advance.
• Busy 5th Avenue in BGC is going carless on weekends.
• Bearers of Pasig, Mandaluyong, Antipolo and Valenzuela QR codes can use just one code for all contact-tracing points in the four cities. One QR code, four cities.Mayor Isko Moreno Says Willing to Get Sinovac Jab
• Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said he ws willing to get the Sinovac jab to encourage the public to get vaccinated.

WORLD

• Spotify pulled out hundreds of K-Pop titles after its licensing deal with Korean distributors ended.
• The snow moon loomed large over Europe over the weekend, giving new vistas of postcard spots like the Eiffel Tower.
• Former U.S. President Donald Trump again hinted at a 2024 run for the White House in his first big speech since relinquishing power to President Jose Biden.
• Pope Francis aims for a spot in history as the first pope to visit Iraq. Here's why it matters.