Robredo says disregarding EUA for vaccines 'mockery' of FDA

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday raised alarm over public officials getting vaccinated using unregistered COVID-19 vaccine, adding that the act mocks the country's regulatory agencies.

Robredo made the remark when asked about her reaction on President Rodrigo Duterte's inoculation using China-made Sinopharm vaccine that only has special permit for compassionate use.

"Kailangan maging maingat tayo sa kung ako public official nagpaturok tapos ipinahayag ko 'yun in public, in a way, promotion iyon ng klaseng bakuna sa'yo. 'Yung pino-promote mo walang EUA (emergency use authorization), parang mockery yun sa regulatory agencies natin," she said in her weekly radio program.

[Public officials getting inoculated with unauthorized vaccine are in a way promoting the product, and also doing a mockery of regulators.]

Robredo also noted that the Food and Drug Administration's job will be futile if they disregard vaccine authorization process.

In a livestreamed Cabinet meeting last week, the President Duterte defended his vaccination with Sinopharm, saying he is covered by the compassionate use permit, which the FDA also earlier confirmed.

However, Duterte also ordered the recall of 1,000 Sinopham doses. But, he said would still get his second dose of the vaccine despite the recall directive. 

On the other hand, VP Robredo said she will get inoculated once supplies are sufficient, and the vaccine must have an EUA.

"Kung enough na yung supply, magpabakuna na ako pero yung siguradong may EUA."

She, however, noted that she prefers her personnel working on the ground to get vaccinated first, including drivers, and members of her Swab Cab team.

Robredo belongs to the A3 category or people with comorbidities. She has yet to be inoculated, following the lack of supplies. 

Earlier, she called for an investigation into the alleged illegal vaccination of the president's security team using the unauthorized Sinopharm drugs. —LBG, GMA News