MANILA, Philippines—Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday reminded the Bureau of Customs and Philippine National Police to remain vigilant against fake COVID-19 vaccines that might enter the country.
As per the Senate’s official website, Hontiveros cited reports of Chinese authorities confiscating over 3,000 doses of fake vaccines, which were saline-filled syringes, that they suspected were made with the intent to send abroad.
Hontiveros said that the vaccines should pass through the Food and Drug Administration and it’s only then that the public would be sure that these are safe for everyone’s use.
“Pag hindi dumadaan ang bakuna sa FDA, walang ibang makakasigurado na ligtas ito. We need to keep watch of our borders like bloodhounds. Ni isang pekeng bakuna ay hindi dapat makalusot,” said Hontiveros.
(If the vaccines did not pass through the FDA, then no one will be assured that these will be safe. We need to keep watch of our borders like bloodhounds. We can’t let even one piece of fake vaccine to come to our shores.)
“Our own authorities need to bust any plan to bring those fake vaccines onto our shores. Anyone willing to put other people in danger for quick profit should be apprehended and put behind bars.”
She added that the COVID-19 National Task Force should also step up its game to ensure that the public won’t have any misguided fears regarding the vaccines.
Hontiveros pointed out that security protocols should be tightened to make sure that the millions of vaccine doses the government would procure won’t have a single anomaly.
“Ilatag na ang safety and quality control protocol at magdagdag ng security protocol para siguraduhing ang bawat isang dose sa milyon-milyon nating bibilhin ay walang halo at hindi peke,” said Hontiveros.
(Lay out the safety and quality control protocol and tighten the security protocol to make sure that not even one dose of the millions that we will buy is fake.)
“I expect the heads of law enforcement and the NTF to be on top of this. This is a grave concern of public safety and health,” she said.
Hontiveros, furthermore, reminded the public to never get vaccinated through illegal means as no authorized vaccine is available in the market.
“Engaging in the black market is not only illegal, it is dangerous. Go through the proper government channels, said Hontiveros. “The health and safety of Filipinos is all that matters. Let’s show the public that we are doing everything we can to vaccinate them safely and truly lead them out of the pandemic.”
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