FILE PHOTO: A woman holds a small bottle labelled with a “Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine” sticker and a medical syringe in this illustration taken October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
MANILA, Philippines — Following reports of individuals seeking multiple jabs in different cities, the capital region’s highest policy recommendatory body on Sunday issued a resolution urging Metro Manila cities to penalize people getting unauthorized COVID-19 booster shots using government-procured doses.
Metro Manila Council (MMC) Resolution No. 21-18, signed unanimously by all 17 Metro Manila mayors, also urged the drafting of ordinances and executive orders requiring vaccinees to disclose in a patient vaccination form whether they have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.
The MMC resolution was passed following reports of fully vaccinated persons who illegally got booster shots in two different cities.
The Department of Health does not yet recommend booster shots as there is no scientific basis proving it is necessary for full protection against COVID-19.
As such, there is an “urgent need to curb the [unauthorized] inoculation in the higher interest of population protection and to penalize all persons who are found to be responsible,” the resolution read.
Sought for clarification, MMC Chair Benhur Abalos said that the resolution also covered privately procured jabs, especially “if found in violation of the terms and conditions of the national government.”