Black market COVID-19 vaccine a bigger health risk – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Do not patronize “underground” vaccination against the coronavirus as it might be more lethal than the disease itself, the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public yesterday.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reiterated that at present there is no registered COVID-19 vaccine in the country.

At the same time, no pharmaceutical company has been given emergency authorization use (EAU) to market or administer such a vaccine in the Philippines.

“All vaccines outside the regulatory process are illegitimate. I will have to reiterate that all vaccines must go through the process,” Duque said.

He urged the public to report any individual or group that offers the vaccine against COVID-19.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said it is risky to take vaccines or any other medicinal product not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

She said this means that such products did not go through regulatory process so their safety and efficacy cannot be guaranteed.

“Bottomline, this may cause you more harm than good. We hope the public can help us in monitoring illegal practices so we can make the appropriate actions,” Vergeire said.