MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang pushed yesterday for global recognition of all vaccines against COVID-19, warning of “vaccine apartheid” or discrimination against certain vaccinees in the absence of an international agreement to recognize all jabs approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. cited how the United States and even some European countries do not intend to recognize vaccines developed by China and Russia and, as such, might prevent some vaccinees from traveling to certain countries.
“Well, I think if a vaccine makes it to the WHO emergency use list, then we should not discriminate against or in favor of any of these vaccines in that list,” Roque said in a television interview.
“And that’s why I think the direction we’re headed for is to come up with an international agreement recognizing all those in the WHO EU (emergency use) list as vaccines which would be sufficient to allow international travel,” he said.
The Palace official is concerned that a situation may arise in which people who received Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines made by China or the Sputnik V jab made by Russia would suffer from discrimination.
“Otherwise, there would be some kind of – for lack of a better term – vaccine apartheid,” Roque said. “And we can’t actually detach economic motivations behind the preference for vaccines.”
Pressing further, he said: “If the WHO says they’re all equally effective and safe, and yet you insist on specific brands, it must be because your country is manufacturing those brands and you’re marketing your brand.”
“That’s why it’s important to have an international agreement otherwise we have apartheid all over again,” he added.
Roque gave assurance that the Philippines will speak out against any move by the US and the European Union to bar entry to those inoculated with Chinese vaccines.
Meanwhile, Roque played down speculations that the distribution of vaccines in the country is being politicized.
Stressing the government’s goal to vaccinate the majority of the country’s over 100-million population, he said: “Now, scientifically, you can’t discriminate because you’re defeating the purpose of a mass vaccination.”
He echoed President Duterte’s previous statements that “no one is safe until we are all safe” and assured the public that he is a leader who does not discriminate based on political affiliation.