National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday reminded the public that only the Philippine government is duly authorized to administer the procurement of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines in the country.
“Any other offers of guaranteed access to any of the vaccines is not only illegal but also life-threatening,” Galvez said in a statement after receiving reports that some alleged individuals were able to reserve guaranteed access for Covid-19 vaccines online for only USD22 dollars.
“According to these reports, people can reserve a vaccine if they paid a fee of USD22 before 9:00 a.m. of December 21, 2020. The said vaccine will be available by the third quarter of 2021,” said Galvez.
Galvez said authorities are now investigating the reports.
“Coordination is being made with concerned agencies to identify those responsible for this misinformation and for their possible prosecution,” he said.
Galvez noted that the Vaccine Expert Panel and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are still in the process of evaluating the clinical trials of the candidate vaccines.
He said the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) has not yet been issued.
“As such, it should be made clear that none of these vaccines should be sold to the public pending the issuance of EUAs,” Galvez said. “All vaccines that are reportedly being sold through the black market are deemed illegal.”
Galvez appealed to the public to be careful in sharing information.
“Due to the proliferation of false information regarding the availability of Covid-19 vaccines and procuring them through private means, the public is requested to be discerning in what they share, especially those coming from social media platforms,” Galvez said.
Meanwhile, Galvez assured the public that the government is exerting all efforts to secure safe, effective, and cost-effective Covid-19 vaccines for Filipinos.
“May I appeal to our countrymen to be patient and exercise good judgment, as we await the arrival of the vaccines,” Galvez appealed to the public.
Galvez emphasized that the vaccine will be given for free to Filipinos. (PNA)