The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public once again that the selling of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines is prohibited.
"Ito ay binibigay ng libre ng ating gobyerno at hindi ito for sale (It is provided for free by our government and it is not for sale)," said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire during an online forum on Friday, July 2.
Vergeire made the statement after three individuals were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the alleged selling of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Aware kami sa nangyayaring pagbebenta at yung entrapment operations ng National Bureau of Investigation regarding this selling of vaccines (We are aware of this and the entrapment operations of the National Bureau of Investigation regarding this sale of vaccines),” she said.
“Ako ay nalulungkot na ba't kailangan magkaroon ng mga ganitong pagkakataon na (It saddens me why these events are happening that) people are taking advantage of what we have right now,” she added.
Vergeire reminded the public to only register with their respective local government units in order to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Huwag kayong bibili sa ibang tao dahil wala silang pagkukunan ng bakuna iyan (Don't buy from other people because they don't have the source of that vaccine). It is just the national government which can access these vaccines for now,” she said.
“Tayo po ay magkaisa dito sa ating pangangalaga nitong mga bakunang ito (Let us unite in guarding these vaccines),” she added.