No 2nd dose of COVID vaccine yet for Duterte, PSG chief misinformed — Roque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III administers Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine to President Rodrigo Duterte on May 3, 2021, in Malacañang. (Screenshot from Sen. Bong Go’s Facebook livestream)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has not yet received his second COVID-19 vaccine dose after all as his spokesman Harry Roque refuted the statement of Presidential Security Group (PSG) chief Jesus Durante III regarding the president’s vaccination.

Durante earlier Friday said the President already received his second dose of the China-made Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine 14 days after his first dose on May 3.

“Gen. Durante was mistakenly informed by his medical staff that a second dose was already administered to the President,” Roque said in a statement.

“Further, Gen. Durante has admitted, apologized and rectified his earlier remarks. We hope this clarifies the matter,” he added.

Asked when Duterte is scheduled to receive his second dose, Roque told INQUIRER.net he has no information yet.

(REUTERS)

At the time when the President was inoculated with the Sinopharm vaccine, the jab had yet to secure an emergency use authorization (EUA).

A compassionate use permit, however, of the said vaccine was granted to the PSG by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It was only in June when Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine was approved by the FDA for emergency use.

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