DOH: Unregistered COVID-19 vaccines could do more harm than good

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday warned the public that getting COVID-19 vaccine not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is unsafe.

The warning was issued following a GMA News report that several people, among them businessmen and politicians, have already received a China-made COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines.

"Naiintindihan po namin ang kasabikan ng ating mga kababayan sa bakuna pero kailangan po natin alalahanin na wala pa pong nag-aaply sa FDA para marehistro ang kanilang bakuna," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online forum.

"Ibig sabihin, wala pang authorized na COVID-19 vaccine na gagamitin sa ating populasyon."

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Thursday, a businessman admitted receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at a friend's house in November. He said some of his friends also did the same.

Vergeire said there is no guarantee that unregistered vaccines are safe and effective, adding they could do more harm than good.

"Antayin po natin iyong registered na bakuna," Vergeire advised.

Vergeire then noted that suppliers and manufacturers of unregistered COVID-19 vaccines could face sanctions under existing laws.

"May kaukulang parusa po para sa mga suppliers at manufacturers na magbibigay ng hindi rehistradong bakuna, pati iyong [nagbebenta] online," she said.

Vergeire urged the public to report such illegal vaccination to authorities so that the DOH can immediately investigate and hold people liable.

The Philippines has recorded 454,447 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 419,902 recovered while 8,850 died.

The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 25,695. --KBK, GMA News