DOH eyes probe into unwarranted jabs given to non-medical frontliners

The Department of Health will investigate the inoculation of some individuals who are not medical frontliners, in disregard the prioritization of healthcare workers in the vaccination rollout.

"Aalamin natin, papa-invesigate natin, 'yun ang gagawin natin to find out kasi nga lagi ko namang sinasabi na ang bakuna nga natin para sa healthcare workers, kinakailangan 3.4 million doses eh 600,000 lang yung dumating, so 17% lang, so kulang," said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III in a report on Dobol B TV.

"So talagang dapat ating sundin yung prioritization formula."

According to a report of State of the Nation on Wednesday, Interior and Local Government spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya received the vaccine at Pasay City General Hospital.

He claimed he can be considered a frontliner considering that DILG officials always go outside to do their duty in the department. He said he was advised by his doctor to already get the shot against COVID-19.

“Kami kasi sa DILG maituturing din kaming frontliner dahil nakikita niyo araw-araw lumalabas kami. Kailangan mauna ang government officials na magpabakuna para lumakas ang ating vaccine confidence,” he added.

Aside from him, Pasay City Vice Mayor Noel Boyet Del Rosario and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chief of Staff Michael Salalima also received the vaccine.

At Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila, Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, who was also a doctor, got the shot to convince the public to get vaccinated.

President Rodrigo Duterte allowed the vaccination of only three officials: National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., NTF deputy chief Vince Dizon, and MMDA chairperson Benhur Abalos.

Malacañang said they want those who disregard the prioritization to be punished.

Aside from healthcare workers, their three beneficiaries can already receive the COVID-19 vaccines.

Quezon Representative Helen Tan received the shot as her son is working as a doctor at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

Sought for comment on the probe, Tan said she was vaccinated because she is also a frontliner, a doctor by profession.

"I can't see any reason for them to investigate. I am a medical doctor despite being a congresswoman. Part of my regular rounds every week is giving free consultation to sick people," Tan said.

"Got it as a frontliner and not just a mother of a frontliner," Tan added.—LBG/KBK/AOL, GMA News