Non-priority gov’t execs who got COVID-19 vaccines to face sanctions — DOH

FILE PHOTO: A vial of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is seen at the Lochee Health Centre in Dundee, Scotland, Britain January 4, 2021. Andy Buchanan/Pool via REUTERS//File Photo

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday said it is mulling possible sanctions against government officials who got vaccinated against COVID-19 despite not being on the priority list.

“Pinaguusapan po ‘yan ngayon. So unang-una, maaaring may  administrative case if you are a public official,” DOH Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa online press briefing.

(We are still in talks of that. First thing, there may be administrative cases filed if you are a public official.)

“So pinag-uusapan pa rin po what would be the possible sanctions or the possible violations that can be identified based on our existing policies,” she added.

(We are still in talks of what would be the possible sanctions or the possible violations that can be identified based on our existing policies.)

Malacañang admitted that there were “breaches” on the government’s priority list for the COVID-19 vaccine as Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority public services head Michael Salalima got vaccinated despite not being health workers.

But according to Roque, the two were prodded at the Pasay City General Hospital to be vaccinated to boost public confidence.

Still, Vergeire said the AstraZeneca vaccines that arrived in the country from the COVAX Facility will only be given to healthcare workers.

On March 4, 487,200 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in the Philippines. An additional 38,400 doses will arrive on Sunday, March 7.

“Ang kailangan natin bigyan pansin ngayon ito pong mga bakuna ng AstraZeneca. These are from COVAX Facility. Ito pong COVAX Facility, meron po tayong agreement with them na nilagdaan po ng ating officials of government,” she said.

(What we need to give focus on is the vaccines of AstraZeneca. These are from the COVAX Facility. Our government has entered a deal with the COVAX Facility.)

“Nakalagay po dyan sa kundisyong yan na kailangan sundin natin ang prioritization framework na binigay nila and these are vulnerable and healthcare workers,” she added.

(It is stated there that we need to follow the prioritization framework that they gave, and these indicate the vulnerable and healthcare workers.)

/MUF