Sinopharm vaccine distributor denied involvement in PSG COVID-19 inoculation
Representatives of the sole vaccine distributor of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines had denied involvement in the vaccination of military members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) using an unregistered COVID-19 vaccine.
In an interview on GMA Network’s Dobol B sa News TV, “Jose” of MKG Universal Drugs Trading Corporation said that as to the recent distribution of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine undertaken for the benefit of the Presidential Security Group, MKG wasn’t a part of it.
On the other hand, “Juan” said that their company would follow the law in distributing Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines as they’re committed to follow the regulations in securing the emergency use authorization (EUA) and the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine would start by the first quarter of 2021.
Jose and Juan, however, refused to reveal their true identities due to security reasons.
An emergency use authorization, which was issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provided that evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccine showed that it’s safe and effective.
The MKG representatives also said that they already secured an FDA application and sent it to Sinopharm headquarters in China, which would be the one to submit the needed requirements for an application for emergency use authorization to the FDA.
READ ALSO: China OKs Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine For General Public Use
According to FDA Director-General Eric Domingo, only Pfizer had submitted an emergency use authorization (EUA) application for the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed with BioNTech.
However, the MKG group couldn’t say if the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine given to PSG members was “smuggled” as earlier said by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
“We cannot comment on that,” Juan said.
READ ALSO | Lorenzana: COVID-19 Vaccines Administered To PSG Members Were Smuggled
According to PSG commander Brigadier General Jesus Durante III, they vaccinated themselves with Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine and only informed President Rodrigo Duterte — who first bared the vaccination of some soldiers, after the fact.
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