Persons who falsify information and deliberately lie to get coronavirus disease (COVID-19) booster shots will now be penalized in Muntinlupa.
The Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance No. 2021-262 “penalizing the dishonest and untruthful declaration of any person undergoing vaccination” and to prevent fully vaccinated persons from getting additional COVID-19 vaccine shots as boosters. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed the ordinance on Aug. 24.
Under the ordinance, persons undergoing vaccination who “knowingly and deliberately lie, commit dishonesty or withhold relevant information” such as excess in the number of doses presently allowed or taking different doses” will be penalized.
Violators will be meted with P5,000 fine, and community service for 30 days or imprisonment from six to nine months, or both.
The new measure amended Ordinance 2020-088, the Anti-Patient’s Dishonesty Ordinance of 2020, which seeks to apprehend individuals withholding relevant information and committing dishonesty on medical forms required by health workers.
Fresnedi warned those who will falsify their information in order to get a booster shot that they will be apprehended. He underscored the health risk of getting an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than what is presently allowed by the Department of Health or by mixing the brands of their first and second dose.
To date, DOH does not endorse booster shots of any COVID-19 vaccine because of the lack of studies backing up its efficacy and safety.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) also appealed to the public not to take a third dose, saying it is illegal.
MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos said those taking booster shots are depriving others of the opportunity to get even one dose of the government-procured and donated jabs considering the low supply.
As of Aug. 23, 442,586 vaccines have been administered in Muntinlupa. A total of 293,909 individuals have received their first dose, of which 7,160 were inoculated in vaccination sites of Muntinlupa private companies, translating to 76.2 percent of the target population of 385,725.
In addition, there are 153,036 individuals who are now fully vaccinated, or 39.7 percent of the target.
Muntinlupa recorded 2,299 active COVID-19 cases out of 18,586 confirmed cases, 15,860 recoveries, and 427 deaths.