FDA says no illegal COVID-19 vaccines in Binondo, so far

MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday said its personnel did not find any illegal COVID-19 vaccines in Binondo, Manila during their initial investigation.

“The FDA team went with the team of Manila City Hall to investigate yesterday. But they [FDA] reported that no vaccines were seen,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo said in a text message to INQUIRER.net when asked about FDA’s plan to probe the reported unauthorized COVID-19 vaccination program.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno previously ordered city health officials and law enforcers to investigate the ongoing illegal vaccination in Binondo.

Moreno said the program was illegal because there is no existing COVID-19 vaccination program approved by the national government.

Domingo also said the Manila City government will inform the FDA if there are new developments in the reported illegal vaccination program.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Department of Health (DOH) will also work closely with the Manila government to provide necessary actions concerning the incident.

“We were not informed, we were not given information by this apparent vaccination in city of Manila, though we were able to contact health officials of Manila and we are awaiting for their formal report to our department so we can be able to provide action,” Vergeire said in an online DOH press briefing.

JPV