AUTHORITIES are now inquiring into the reported immunization from Covid-19 of some 100,000 Chinese nationals working in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry.
In an interview with PTV on Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) said the claim made by anti-crime advocate Teresita Ang-See will be included in the investigation by concerned agencies.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), together with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) will now also look into the purported mass use of unregistered vaccines in POGOs.
Over the weekend, the NBI said it will start looking into the alleged use by some members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) of unregistered Covid-19 vaccine from Chinese drug maker, Sinopharm.
Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana said Sinopharm is expected to apply for a Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from FDA this week.
If approved by FDA, it will allow the local use of Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccine.
While the unauthorized use by PSG of the vaccine drew criticism from the public since it violated existing regulations, it was commended by Malacañang as an act of selflessness.
“They put their lives at risk to give protection to the President…President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, thanked and commended members of PSG, who were injected [with the vaccine], courage, and honesty,” Harry Roque said.
Roque, however, refused to comment on the legality of the importation of the Chinese vaccine used by members of PSG.
The law prohibits the importation, distribution as well as administration of any drug and vaccine without authorization from the FDA.
Duque said they will be getting the identity of the PSG members, who were inoculated for Covid-19, to determine if they will exhibit any side effect from using the Sinopharm vaccine.