Palace on why President Duterte got 2nd vaccine dose 10 weeks after receiving 1st dose
Here’s an answer from Malacañang when asked why President Rodrigo Duterte only got his second vaccine dose 10 weeks after receiving his first dose.
On Wednesday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said during his regular press briefing that President Duterte got his second dose of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine 10 weeks after his first dose on his doctor’s advice.
This was beyond the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) to administer the two doses of the said vaccine three to four weeks apart.
“Nung tinurukan po si Presidente, present po yun kanyang personal physician. Hindi po nagpakita sa camera pero he was present. That’s a decision po of his attending physician. Although it was [Health] Secretary [Francisco] Duque who administered the shot, yan po ay isang bagay na between the President and his attending physician,” Roque said.
READ ALSO: President Duterte Now Fully Vaccinated vs COVID-19
At the time President Duterte was vaccinated with Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine last May, the said vaccine brand had yet to secure an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Food and Drug Administration, at that time, allowed a compassionate use of the said vaccine brand for members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
It was only last June when Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use.
Meanwhile, President Duterte said in his weekly address to the nation last July 12 that vaccination was still the “best defense” against new COVID-19 variants.
“Health authorities around the world have noticed that the global pandemic recovery is at risk with the rise of new COVID-19 variants. The emergence of new COVID-19 variants like Delta and Lambda are truly cause of concern and the government is closely monitoring our borders for these strains to prevent local transmission. Having said that, our best defense is still to be vaccinated as soon as possible,” President Duterte said.
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