Philippines to probe use of illegal COVID-19 vaccines

MANILA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The Philippines health ministry
said on Wednesday it will investigate the illegal use of
unauthorised COVID-19 vaccines, after a presidential advisor
admitted to receiving shots of a Sinopharm vaccine smuggled into
the country.
Ramon Tulfo, a celebrity radio and television host and
special envoy to China, revealed in his newspaper column on Feb.
20 and again in an interview with One News that he received a
dose in October from a batch that was also used by President
Rodrigo Duterte's security detail.
"I got hold of vaccines from a friend who smuggled it into
the country," Tulfo told One News.
News last month of Duterte's bodyguard unit taking the
vaccine, which it said was without the president's knowledge,
prompted criticism from lawmakers about privileged access and
flouting of laws.
Several government officials also received Sinopharm
1099.HK shots, Tulfo said, adding to speculation that vaccines
were available on the black market.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved use
of the Sinopharm vaccine, making its importation and
distribution illegal. Sinopharm has not sought emergency use
authorisation in the Philippines.
"We are investigating because it's not good to learn of
these inoculations that did not go through proper procedures,"
FDA chief Rolando Enrique Domingo said.
Philippine Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said
recipients of unauthorised vaccines were also accountable.
Calls to Sinopharm in China were unanswered, and a
spokeswoman for its unit developing COVID-19 vaccines has yet to
respond to written queries.
Tulfo, 74, said he had wanted to test the vaccine's efficacy
as he was applying to be a distributor.
"I don't feel guilty about it," he said.
The Philippines has yet to start immunisations or receive
any COVID-19 vaccines that it has approved for emergency use,
despite having one of highest number of cases and deaths in
Asia.