MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday defended his decision to be inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine made by Chinese firm Sinopharm that has yet to undergo further evaluation and secure an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the local Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In a taped speech on Wednesday night, Duterte stressed that his vaccination was legal as it was covered by the compassionate special permit (CSP) issued by the FDA in February.
“Ako mismo ang nagpaturok. It is the decision of my doctor. Anyway, it’s my life,” he said.
“Just before this meeting started, I had a talk with the ambassador. Sabi ko sa kanya, ang mga experts nagsabi na wala pang ano ito, hindi dumaan ng examination sa atin. Ang ibinigay ay compassionate use,” he added.
“Ibig sabihin, magamit mo, compassionate. Kaya lang, maybe it’s not acceptable to them but it’s legal actually. When the government allowed it for compassionate use, that in itself is an authority for people to be injected. Pero kakaunti lang naturukan nito,” he further stated.
The FDA earlier said that the dose given to Duterte on Monday night was part of the 1,000 doses of Sinopharm donated by the Chinese government. These are covered by the FDA’s CSP for the legal administration of the 10,000 doses of Sinopharm in the country.
“We are sorry that we committed the things that you are criticizing us for. We accept responsibility,” he said, apparently addressing those who criticized his choice of vaccine.
Duterte said he has already asked China’s ambassador to the Philippines to withdraw all Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine doses from the country.
“Here’s the deal, sinabi ko kay Ambassador… sabi ko tanggalin mo na lang. You withdraw all Sinopharm vaccines. All 1,000 of them. Huwag ka na magdala ng Sinopharm dito para wala ng gulo. Sabi ko, ibigay mo na lang sa akin Sinovac,” he said.
The 76-year old president earlier expressed preference for Sinopharm vaccine.
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