Malacañang there was no need for President Duterte to take booster shots against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), saying the President had a high antibody count after completing his vaccination.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after it was reported that San Juan Representative Ronaldo Zamora had zero antibodies despite completing his two doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine, the same brand President Duterte received.
On Monday, Zamora said he also got inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine when it became available in the country.
In his press briefing on Wednesday, July 14, Roque said President Duterte was not looking to get booster shots to ensure his protection against COVID-19.
"Hindi po (He's not considering booster shots)," he said.
"Sa isang Talk to the People, sabi ng Presidente kinuha ang kanyang antibodies at nakapataas ng kanyang antibody count (He said in one of his public addresses that his antibody count was checked and it was very high)," he added.
President Duterte received his second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine on July 12, two months after his first inoculation on May 3 that stirred controversy because Sinopharm had no emergency use authorization (EUA) then.
According to Roque, Duterte's physician was present during his second vaccination but was not shown on camera. The vaccine was administered to the President by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
President Duterte will be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after he received his second shot.
It was reported last month that President Duterte had already completed his two-dose vaccination. However, Roque said that Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander Brigadier General Jesus Durante III, who made the announcement, was misinformed.