DOH to look into unauthorized COVID-19 vaccine allegedly given to military, others

The Department of Health (DOH) will look into the alleged vaccination of many individuals including the military—as claimed by President Rodrigo Duterte—using unauthorized vaccines.

Interviewed on GMA Network’s Unang Hirit on Monday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reiterated that the Food and Drug Administration has not authorized any COVID-19 vaccine yet.

“We still do not have that information. We would be trying to get the information available para makita po natin 'yan,” she said.

“Inaantay pa rin ho natin magkaroon ng applications from different vaccine manufacturers para maipasok natin sa ating bansa at magamit ang mga bakunang ito,” she added.

On Saturday, Duterte said many Filipinos, including some from the military, have already received a COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese manufacturer Sinopharm, which has no approval yet from the FDA.

"Sabihin ko sa iyo, marami na ang nagpa-injection dito sa Sinopharm... Halos lahat ng sundalo natusukan na," Duterte told FDA Director-General Eric Domingo during their meeting with Cabinet officials.

"I have to be frank and I have to tell the truth. I will not foist a lie. Marami nang nagpatusok and lahat," he added.

According to Domingo, the agency had conducted three raids against unauthorized sale of COVID-19 vaccines particularly in Binondo and Makati.

However, he said they have yet to arrest any individual involved in the alleged administration of such vaccines to Filipinos. —KG, GMA News