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Senator Leila de Lima. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The detained senator Leila de Lima on Monday called the vaccination of some government officials and military personnel against COVID-19 “anomalous”, information recently revealed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“How did it happen that some soldiers, and perhaps select civilians, have already received an advance vaccination with a vaccine made in China?” De Lima said on Twitter.
How did it happen that some soldiers, and perhaps select civilians, have already received an advance vaccination with a vaccine made in China? Did any of the relevant authorities, i.e. DOH, FDA, DOST and / or IATF, give their official signal for that? And why a late disclosure? pic.twitter.com/hAMISnXN6P
– Leila de Lima (@SenLeiladeLima) December 28, 2020
“Has any of the relevant authorities, ie DOH (Department of Health), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), DOST (Department of Science and Technology) and / or IATF (Inter-Institutional Working Group), give their official approval ? signal for that? And why a late disclosure? “She added.” Freaky! “
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte returned to Manila the day after Christmas to meet with selected members of his cabinet along with infectious disease experts. The emergency meeting, held at the Malacañang Palace on December 26, 2020, was convened to discuss the new emerging rapidly spreading variant of the coronavirus (Covid-19) found in the UK. ALFRED FRIAS / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
On Monday, the Interior Secretary, Eduardo Año, confirmed that some members of the Cabinet, as well as the Presidential Security Group and the military, have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Year did not say which brand of COVID-19 vaccine was used, but added that it was administered under an emergency use authorization (USA).
The FDA, however, has yet to grant an EUA to a COVID-19 candidate vaccine.
The US pharmaceutical company Pfizer is so far the only company that has applied for an EUA in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, FDA Director General Eric Domingo confirmed in a television interview that the agency has been receiving reports of Filipinos receiving a COVID-19 vaccine from China.
FILE PHOTO: Small vials labeled with “Vaccine” stickers are placed near a medical syringe in front of the words “Coronavirus COVID-19” in this illustration taken on April 10, 2020. REUTERS / Dado Ruvic / Illustration / Photo by archive
Domingo said it would be a “personal choice” if an individual chooses to be inoculated with an unregistered vaccine.
“There is nothing we can do about it, it is a personal choice. But it is illegal to import an unregistered drug, distribute it, and for a doctor or medical practitioner or any health personnel to administer drugs without a license in the country, “he said.
He promised that the agency will go after distributors of “illegal and unregistered” COVID-19 vaccines.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through its spokesperson, said there is no military-sanctioned COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
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