A medical worker prepares a dose of Sinovac at a 24/7 vaccination center at Holy Trinity Academy in Sampaloc, Manila, on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. (File photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Muntinlupa City Council has passed an ordinance that will penalize those who attempt to get a third COVID-19 vaccine dose, or a booster shot, illegally.
According to a statement issued by the city on Wednesday, Ordinance No. 2021-262 was passed on Tuesday.
Specifically, the ordinance will penalize persons undergoing vaccination who “knowingly and deliberately lie, commit dishonesty or withhold relevant information such as excess in the number of doses presently allowed or taking different doses.”
The penalty is a fine of P5,000 and imprisonment from six to nine months.
On Monday, Chairman Benhur Abalos of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority warned that those who attempt to get a third COVID-19 vaccine dose would be jailed.
To date, the Department of Health has not recommended booster shots for fully vaccinated individuals considering the limited supply of jabs in the country and the lack of sufficient evidence supporting their efficacy.
The executive department, however, has proposed a budget of P45 billion next year for the procurement of COVID-19 booster shots.