Health Expert Warns Against Getting COVID-19 Vaccine From Black Market

MANILA – Some Filipinos are looking for ways to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as the government has yet to say with certainty the timing of the availability of the new coronavirus vaccine in the Philippines, a health expert said Monday.

But, according to Dr. Tony Leachon, who used to be part of the interagency task force against COVID-19, getting the vaccine from the black market could sabotage the government’s vaccination program.

Leachon told ABS-CBN News that in addition to the black market, some Filipinos also plan to travel abroad because they have a higher chance of receiving the vaccine there.

“One reason is that they are not really sure of the exact timing of the vaccine arrival,” he said, noting that it is a “normal behavioral response” when the supply of a drug is limited.

“Because of the worldwide vaccination … always, if you are Filipino, maiinggit ka (if you are Filipino, you will feel envy),” he said.

Leachon said that some Filipino green card holders are interested in being vaccinated in the United States, where vaccines are already being rolled out.

“Some of my patients would like to go to the US this March. They think that by that time the US priority list would, more or less, go to Phase 2. So they could get there. especially if the others are green card holders, “he said.

(They think that by that time, the US will already be in Phase 2 on their priority list. So maybe they can get vaccines there, especially if they are green card holders.)

“The others want to go to Singapore … because those who have come to Singapore and Singapore are closer,” he said.

(Others want to go to Singapore … because the vaccines came to Singapore and it’s closer to the Philippines.)

Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III previously said the country would begin its vaccination program for high-risk people and poor families in March.

As of Monday, the Philippines has yet to approve the use and sale of any COVID-19 vaccine in the country.

ADVANTAGE OF THE RICH AND PRIVILEGED

Despite frequent reminders from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it is illegal to receive vaccines that have not yet received government approval, several soldiers and members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) have already been vaccinated against COVID- 19.

It was previously reported that Senator Panfilo Lacson and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez received the vaccine this year, but both lawmakers have neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.

This is not the first time that the rich and privileged have secured COVID-19-related items before those who need it most, Leachon said.

“It already happened during the first months of laboratory tests (COVID-19),” he said.

“There were limited supplies of the test kits. At that time, 2000 lang kits (only). We heard true stories na (that) some politicians or influencers na naka-una dun sa testing, instead of ‘yung mga naka-admit (They were screened first, rather than those who were admitted to hospitals), “he said.

“It is a natural phenomenon, if you are rich and you would not mind the cost of the vaccine.”

Getting the vaccine early or late for one or two people doesn’t matter, Leachon said, noting that herd immunity against COVID-19 can only be achieved when more than half of the population has been inoculated.

“Most of them will be effective … so we did a mass vaccination to achieve herd immunity,” he said.

(It must be given to many people to be effective … That is why we want a mass vaccination to achieve herd immunity).

“You think you are protected, but your protection will improve if more people are vaccinated.”

(You think you are protected. But your protection can only be improved when more people are vaccinated).

INDIVIDUAL INOCULATION MAY ‘SABOT’ PH’S COVID-19 VACCINE PROGRAM

Filipinos who are trying to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on their own may end up “sabotaging” the Philippines’s COVID-19 vaccination program, Leachon warned.

“That only problem is the black market because the efficacy and safety of the particular vaccine is not known,” he said.

Vaccines made without government permission can “skew” data on whether or not the Philippines has already vaccinated 60 percent of its population, the number needed for the country to develop herd immunity against COVID-19.

“I would not know now who are the patients who would receive the double vaccine,” Leachon said.

“At this time, we do not know the effect of double vaccination … or an overdose,” he added.

He said those who receive the vaccines from unregistered sources may end up experiencing “unpredictable adverse events” that may discourage other Filipinos from taking advantage of the government’s vaccine.

“[It] In fact, it may lead to a sabotage of the government’s national program, considering the low acceptability of the Filipinos to vaccination, “he said.

The “delay” in acquiring the COVID-19 vaccine by the Philippines “created” the mad rush of some Filipinos to obtain vaccines on their own, he said.

The Philippines was supposed to receive about 10 million doses from US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer starting in January 2021, but Duque’s failure to submit documentary requirements on time ruined the initial deal, Lacson said previously.

Duque said talks with Pfizer are still ongoing and the FDA hopes to authorize the company’s vaccines for use in the country next month.

In addition to speeding up the procurement of vaccines, the government should step up its education and awareness programs about the COVID-19 vaccine, Leachon advised.

“We need to have a structured education for the public to explain and also impose penalties for doing that (illegal purchases),” he said.

(There should be a structured education for the public to explain it, and it includes a list of penalties for the illegal purchase of vaccines.)

“Sasabihin din ng FDA in DOH an unjustified or illegal vaccination of these products can result in a lack of efficacy and adverse events. So it puts them in a position where they will not do that kasi matatakot sila,” he said.

(FDA and DOH must also notify the public that unwarranted or illegal vaccination with these products may result in ineffectiveness and adverse events. Therefore, it puts them in a position that they will not do so because they fear repercussions.)

The 2021 national budget includes PhP72.5 billion for the purchase, storage, transportation and distribution of vaccines against COVID-19, according to President Rodrigo Duterte. It is expected to cover inoculation of the poorest families, the elderly, and other high-risk individuals.

Congress is pushing to pass a new aid package next year to boost the Philippines’ vaccine fund and hopefully accelerate the return to normalcy in the country.

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