The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines sold illegally are no longer safe for use.
FDA Director-General Rolando Enrique Domingo noted that vaccines require proper handling and should be stored within the correct temperature.
Recently, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested three individuals for alleged selling of COVID-19 vaccines. Domingo said that the seized vaccines from them were genuine but unfit for use.
“Hindi na maaaring gamitin yan (That cannot be used anymore)," said Domingo in a television interview on Thursday, July 8.
"Hindi mo na kasi alam yung integrity ng cold chain, ng pagha-handle niyan. At pag ganyang merong doubt, hindi na po natin pinapayagang gamitin sa tao ang ganyan po na mga bakuna (This is because you no longer know the integrity of the cold chain or how these vaccines were handled. And if there is any doubt, we will no longer allow people to use such vaccines),” he added.
Authorities are still tracing the source of the seized vaccines---whether these were smuggled or from the government's vaccine supply, said Domingo.
"Dinala iyan sa FDA at ang tingin una ng ating mga ahente ay mukhang tunay na bakuna (That was brought to the FDA and our agents think these vaccines look genuine)," he said.
The FDA chief called on the public to report individuals suspected to be selling COVID-19 jabs.
"Si Presidente (Duterte) galit na galit nung isang araw. Inutusan niya lahat ang NBI at pulis, FDA, all agencies to make sure na mahuli itong mga ito (The President was furious the other day. He ordered the NBI and police, FDA, and other concerned agencies to make sure to catch them)," he said.