Official says nothing wrong with Covid-19 vaccination of Philippine soldiers

MANILA: Senate President Vicente Sotto III said there is nothing wrong with the inoculation of soldiers against Covid-19 as “there is no law” that prevents Filipinos from taking a vaccine that has yet to be certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Sotto’s statement comes after President Rodrigo Duterte said that several soldiers have been vaccinated against Covid-19 despite health officials’ frequent reminder to avoid using drugs that the FDA has yet to approve.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong about that. There is no law that says you cannot take any medicine or vaccine that FDA has not approved,” Sotto told reporters in a text message.

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“Last I recall, there is even no law vs suicide. So what’s the fuss?” he said.

The Senate President said those who question the prioritisation of soldiers in the vaccination against Covid-19 should first find out if the government spent public funds for the vaccination.

“I don’t think government paid for those vaccines they used. I’m sure they were given and administered for free,” Sotto said.

“What if it was donated? They should complain to the donor on why they wanted the soldiers to be prioritised,” he said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that the public should “just accept” that some soldiers have received the vaccine even if the drug has yet to get regulatory approval.

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“Don’t deprive our soldiers of protection from the disease. Let us just accept that it is important that our soldiers, those who are guarding our security are safe from Covid so they can do their jobs,” he said.

The Philippines was supposed to procure some 10 million vaccines from Pfizer by January, but the initial deal fell through after the health department failed to submit documentary requirements on time.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said that the government hopes to begin its mass immunisation programme against covid-19 by March 2021. 

Meanwhile, Duterte on Monday night announced that Metro Manila and nine other areas in the country will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) status until January 31, 2021.

In a taped public address, Duterte said the provinces of Batangas, Isabela, Lanao del Sur, Davao del Norte, and cities of Santiago, Iloilo, Tacloban, Iligan, and Davao will also remain under GCQ until the end of January.

The rest of the country will also remain under the least restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), he added.

Duterte, however, said these community quarantine classifications are subject to appeal from their respective local government units (LGUs).