DOH to probe use of illegal COVID-19 vaccines after Tulfo revelation

MANILA — The Philippines’ health department said on Wednesday it will investigate the illegal use of unauthorized 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 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 authorization 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 unauthorized 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 immunizations or receive any COVID-19 vaccines that it has approved for emergency use, despite having one of the highest number of cases and deaths in Asia.