FILE PHOTO: Acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. Screengrab from INQUIRER.net’s video interview
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has received a booster dose of Sinopharm’s anti-coronavirus vaccine as advised by his doctor, acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Tuesday.
During a Palace press briefing, Nograles was asked why Duterte was given a Sinopharm booster dose despite the lack of studies.
“That’s the advice of the doctor. So, it’s between him and the doctor,” he explained.
READ: Duterte receives 2nd dose of Sinopharm vaccine
“Whereas, kung ano ‘yung booster for Sinopharm, again tulad ng sinabi ni [Health Undersecretary] Myrna Cabotaje, hinihingi pa po nila ang additional data from Sinopharm para makapagbigay po sila ng advice kung ano ‘yung maaaring booster shot for those who took Sinopharm,” he added.
(Whereas, on the question of what the booster is for Sinopharm, like what Usec. Myrna Cabotaje said they are asking for additional data from Sinopharm so that they can give an advisory for the booster shot for those who took Sinopharm.)
READ: Duterte: Many in PH have been vaccinated with Sinopharm vaccine
The Department of Health recently said their experts are still studying boosters for those who were injected with Sinopharm’s anti-COVID vaccine.
“We are still studying our policy and our experts’ group are still looking ano po ang booster sa Sinopharm (on the booster shot for Sinopharm),” Cabotaje said during the briefing before the House committee on health on the COVID-19 situation.
“There is not enough study because there is no data available elsewhere abroad, even from Sinopharm, ano ba ang magandang i-booster sa kanya. We are constantly asking our experts,” she continued.
(There is not enough study because there is no data available elsewhere abroad, even from Sinopharm, on what is the appropriate booster shot for that.)
To date, some 4.7 million people have received a booster shot, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. reported on Monday evening.