The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated that all coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines that are already approved in the Philippines are safe and effective.
The agency urged the public not to believe the false claims circulating on the different social media platforms about COVID-19 vaccines and appealed to them to always check the facts.
The DOH debunked some of the false information about the COVID-19 vaccines that are often shared on social media.
Claim 1: The COVID-19 vaccine will cause reinfection for those who have already fully recovered.
According to DOH, these vaccines "boost the immune system and prevent hospitalization and deaths among those fully recovered."
Claim 2: The COVID-19 vaccines can cause sterility or infertility.
Vaccines "do not cause infertility," the DOH said as these have "undergone thorough safety studies."
Claim 3: The COVID-19 vaccines can alter my DNA.
"COVID-19 vaccines do not alter the human DNA. There is no live virus in vaccines and no evidence that it alters DNA. They are safe and effective," the DOH said.
Claim 4: The COVID-19 vaccines are fake and nothing but a lucrative money-making venture for manufacturers.
"Vaccines are scientifically proven to protect people from the disease. The government ensures that we get the most cost-effective vaccines and gives them at no cost," the DOH said.
"Get your vaccines for free," it added.
As of June 9, the DOH said 6,314,548 vaccine doses have already been administered nationwide.
Of the total, 1,681,722 individuals are now fully vaccinated while 4,632,826 people received their first dose.
The Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration has already approved the vaccines of Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya Research Institute, Johnson & Johnson, Bharat Biotech, and Moderna for emergency use in the country.