MMDA warns those who’ll get 3rd vaccine shot: We’ll put you in jail

MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos. Image from MMDA / PIO chief Sharon Gentalian

MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos on Monday issued a stern warning against those who will attempt to get a third COVID-19 vaccine dose.

“Binabawalan ko kayo, pakukulong talaga namin kayo, ‘wag kayo gagawa ng ganoon dahil everything will be recorded,” Abalos said in a Palace briefing.

(I am prohibiting you, we will put you in jail, don’t do it because everything will be recorded.)

Earlier, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) passed a resolution urging all Metro Manila mayors to pass ordinances or issue executive orders to stop persons getting booster shots or additional COVID-19 vaccine shots.

The MMC, composed of the 17 mayors of Metro Manila, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.

Before the adoption of the resolution, the Quezon City government filed charges against two fully vaccinated persons for allegedly went to get a third vaccine shot in the city.

Both patients were fully vaccinated with Sinovac, but each got a third Pfizer and Moderna shot in Quezon City.

Exchange of data

According to Abalos, he tapped Department of Information and Communications (DICT) Undersecretary Emmanuel Caintic to develop a mechanism that would enable LGUs to exchange data in order to prevent individuals from getting more than the required two vaccine doses.

“Dine-develop na ngayon ni Usec. Caintic, I’ve requested him primarily for this kasi nga takot ako baka magkaroon ng third dose,” the MMDA chair said.

(Usec. Caintic is now developing this, I’ve requested him primarily for this because of fears that people may get a third dose.)

“At least within Metro Manila, magpapalitan kami ng mga data so that let’s say in Mandaluyong, I’d like to check who is this Juan dela Cruz from Quezon City, ifi-feed sa akin na ‘he has never been vaccinated,’” he explained.

(At least within Metro Manila, we can exchange data so that let’s say in Mandaluyong, I’d like to check who is this Juan dela Cruz from Quezon City and the data will be fed to me ‘he has never been vaccinated.’)

Further, Abalos said that a vaccine recipient will be made to sign a form declaring “they have not been vaccinated at any other place” prior to their appointment.

Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) said it does not recommend the use of booster shots to fully vaccinated individuals yet considering the limited supply of jabs in the country and the lack of sufficient evidence supporting such practice.

The executive department, however, has included a proposed P45-billion budget next year for the procurement of COVID-19 booster shots.

JPV