MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it will coordinate with the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) in relation to the investigation on doctors involved in the administration of unregistered vaccines against novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they will be working with the PRC in determining the possible liability of medical professionals who participated in unauthorized COVID-19 vaccination.
Vergeire also stressed that the unauthorized inoculation of the COVID-19 vaccine to some members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) is now being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that the response of concerned agencies will depend on the agency’s findings.
“The FDA and DOH is also would be coordinating with the Philippine Regulatory Commission para nga doon sa mga involved professionals na sinasabing pagbibigay nitong unregistered vaccine na ito,” she said.
The vaccination of some PSG members came to light after President Rodrigo Duterte revealed last week that some military men had already received a COVID-19 vaccine.
PSG commander Brigadier General Jesus Durante had confirmed that his unit obtained the vaccine but refused to disclose its source. He also clarified that the president was only informed of their move after the fact.
Durante also stressed that their decision to inoculate some members sans the FDA approval is based on their mission to protect the president’s health and safety.
The PSG drew both criticisms and support from various quarters over the issue, while the Palace lauded the group’s bravery in taking unregistered and possibly smuggled vaccines.
But for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the incident is now being investigated by the FDA, as well as by the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Customs.
“Nire-respeto po natin ang mga opinyon ng sinoman at ang mahalaga po rito ay kung ano po ang kakalabasan ng imbestigasyon na ginagawa ng FDA,” he said.
“Huwag po natin pangunahan ang anomang resulta na ilalabas ng FDA, NBI at Bureau of Customs sa naturang imbestigasyon… Sila po ang lead agency patungkol sa imbestigasyon na binanggit ko,” he added.
The DOH, meanwhile, urged local government units to coordinate with the agency and strictly observe protocols in rolling out their respective COVID-19 vaccination programs.
“So that we can have a unified effort at hindi tayo magkaroon ng technicalities and also we can be able to monitor as well. We have to remember the National Immunization Program rests on the mandate of the Department of Health,” Vergeire said. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Aiko Miguel)
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