Doctors administering unauthorized COVID-19 shots in the Philippines could lose their medical license, the Department of Health warned Thursday as it reiterated that the country has yet to approve any COVID-19 vaccine for public use.
Using unauthorized COVID-19 vaccines will only make the virus crisis in the Philippines "worse" since it poses risks, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III warned.
This after both Malacañang and the Armed Forces of the Philippines admitted that some soldiers were already inoculated with China's Sinopharm ahead of authorization in the Philippines.
“We will investigate the illegal administration of unauthorized smuggled vaccines, specifically doctors and other medical professionals who administer them," Duque said in a statement.
"We will have their medical licenses revoked. We doctors have an oath. Do no harm. In a pandemic, we need to be more circumspect."
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Some legislators were also rumored to have had COVID-19 vaccine jabs in hotels.
“I’m not buying the explanation that the doctors administering the shots are being pressured by lawmakers. Someone is peddling the service and it is unacceptable,” Duque said.
Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo meanwhile said health authorities are working with the Bureau of Customs to prevent the entry of unauthorized vaccines in the country.
“We have sent our enforcement unit to the field and we are awaiting the report. We are fully committed to monitoring this,” Domingo said.
While talks are already ongoing, the Philippines has yet to formally receive COVID-19 vaccine supplies.
The country aims to start its own mass COVID-19 immunization program by late March.
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