The Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against manufacturers and distributors selling unregistered COVID-19 vaccines, amid reports that there are already two lawmakers that received the vaccine.
“Paalala po sa mga manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, may batas laban sa pamimigay at pagbebenta ng kahit anong bagay o technology, kasama na ang bakuna, na walang rehistro ng ating Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in an online forum.
Vergeire clarified that the Philippine government had not approved any COVID-19 vaccine.
Before a vaccine could be used in the Philippines, the vaccine manufacturer must get clearance from the Vaccine Experts Panel (VEP), the Ethics Board, and the FDA.
“Kaya po may regulatory process para masigurado na safe ang bakuna at efficacious, meaning magiging epektibo sa purpose sa pagbibigay ng bakuna,” Vergeire said.
“Sa ngayon, wala pang registered na COVID-19 vaccine sa FDA kaya dapat mag-ingat po ang ating mga kababayan,” she added.
Lacson did not categorically deny Sotto’s claim but hinted that it could only be a joke.
DOH warns against unregistered COVID-19 vaccines
“Ako, ang isang trip ko, kilala nila ako. Ang isang trip ko kapag nagbibiro ako, gustung-gusto ko ‘yung merong senador na sumasayaw sa balat ng mani,” he said Sunday.
“Kapag ganu’n, mga biro na akala mo totoong-totoo, ‘yung sayaw nang sayaw naniniwala, pero actually biro. Having said that, let’s leave it at that para wala nang pag-uusapan,” Lacson added.
Pfizer Inc. announced last week that it completed the late-stage trial of its COVID-19 and final results showed 95% efficacy.
Meanwhile, Moderna Inc. on Monday said its vaccine was 94.5% effective based on the preliminary data.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Philippines would be assured to get 30 to 50 million COVID-19 vaccines from drugmakers in China, United Kingdom, and the United States within the month.
However, Galvez said he could not disclose the price of the COVID-19 vaccine due to a confidentiality disclosure agreement between the Philippines and the manufacturers.