Members of the security class of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte “smuggled” an unauthorized COVID-19 vaccine into the country and administered it to themselves, a senior defense official said on Wednesday.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said members of the Presidential Security Group had obtained the vaccine without government authorization or knowledge.
When asked if the vaccine was smuggled into the county, Lorenzana said: “Yes, smuggled, because it was not authorized, only the government can authorize it”.
No vaccine has been approved by the country’s Food and Drug Administration.
Lorenzana said the unit needs to “explain why they violated FDA rules”, but continued to minimize the movement.
“It’s justified … it will protect them from being infected and, at the same time, they can protect the president,” said Lorenzana.
Brigadier-General Jesus Durante, head of the PSG, also defended guards using the unauthorized vaccine as a “good faith” decision.
During said the unit could not wait for the approval of a vaccine against the coronavirus.
The president was not informed of the episode until later, said Durante.
It is not clear how the vaccine was obtained or which one was used.
Health Minister Francisco Duque said the country’s FDA is investigating.
Wired Poles