FILE PHOTO: The Sacred Heart Parish Shrine in Kamuning, Quezon City, serve as the vaccination area for A1-A5 priority groups to receive their 2nd dose of Astrazeneca COVID-19 shot on Monday, August 9, 2021. INQUIRER file photo / Ni帽o Jesus Orbeta
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Two individuals who are fully vaccinated with Sinovac鈥檚 anti-COVID-19 vaccine are set to face charges from the Quezon City local government unit (LGU) after allegedly getting a third dose for a booster shot.
The Quezon City government on Friday released reports showing that one of the two individuals already got the two doses in Mandaluyong city, and was registered again in Quezon City鈥檚 vaccination program through a company masterlist, to get a different vaccine brand.
It was confirmed that this individual got the second dose of the Sinovac vaccine in Mandaluyong on May 10, and then got another Moderna shot in Quezon City this week.
鈥淲hile the social media posts of this individual have since been deleted, his posts have been forwarded to the city government,鈥� the Quezon City LGU said.
The second person also got two doses of Sinovac鈥檚 vaccine in Quezon City, and then bragged about getting another dose within the same city 鈥� this time from United States pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
鈥淎nother individual received two doses of Sinovac at one of the city鈥檚 vaccination centers, then bragged of receiving a third dose of Pfizer. It was not disclosed whether the third jab was administered at another vaccine center or the same one where the first two were dispensed,鈥� the city added.
According to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, the LGU is looking into the matter seriously as this shows a 鈥済reedy and selfish鈥� act.
鈥淲e in the local government are taking this matter seriously. We will not tolerate actions like this especially that a good number of individuals have yet to receive their first vaccine dose, not just in our city but in our country in general,鈥� Belmonte said in a statement.
鈥淣agkakagulo na nga para lang makakuha ng bakuna ang mga tao, may manlalamang pa [People are already desperate just to get vaccines, but some would still try to edge others],鈥� she added.
The local government said that according to City Attorney Orlando Paolo Casimiro, the two individuals violated a recently signed city ordinance that prohibits vaccination fraud.
The specific provisions, Section 3, paragraphs 8 and 9 of City Ordinance SP3032 s-2021 states that the violations are made when there is a 鈥渕isrepresentation of vaccine status for purposes of fraud, or deceit, including a fully-vaccinated person pretending to be unvaccinated for purposes of receiving additional unwarranted inoculations, and (9) Commission of any other deceit or fraud in relation to the Government鈥檚 COVID-19 vaccination program.鈥�
鈥淭he complaints have been sworn into the Office of the City Prosecutor to send a strong message that the City Government takes the vaccination and other pandemic-related programs very seriously,鈥� Casimiro said.
鈥淚n essence, these people are stealing the vaccines which could save the lives of others, not to mention making a mockery out of the efforts of our frontline workers. We will make sure that once proven, these individuals will be punished accordingly to the fullest extent of the law,鈥� he added.
If proven guilty, the violators may be penalized with a fine of P5,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than six months, or both.
It has been a hot topic whether there is a need to administer a third shot for those who received the Sinovac vaccine, as there are studies pointing out that the antibodies from the said vaccine fade away after six months unlike with other vaccine brands that stay on the body for longer periods.
READ: Antibodies from Sinovac鈥檚 COVID-19 shot fade after about 6 months, booster helps鈥搒tudy听
Recently, it was also reported that Chile has started giving boosters to Sinovac vaccine recipients as the vaccines lose effectiveness after a few months.
READ: Chile giving boosters to Sinovac recipients听
Such talks started after hundreds of Indonesian healthcare workers got COVID-19 during the Delta variant-led surge in the country, despite most of them being vaccinated with Sinovac.
READ: Hundreds of vaccinated Indonesian health workers get COVID-19, dozens in hospital听
Quezon City however appealed to the public that no guidelines for third booster shots or vaccine mixing has been released by the Department of Health.
鈥淲e appeal to all to be considerate of others during this pandemic. The demand is high but the supply is limited,鈥� Joseph Juico, co-chair of the QC Task Force Vax to Normal, said.
鈥淔or the sake of humanity, please consider the situation of other individuals who also need to get their vaccine jabs. Our goal is to protect as many citizens as possible which entails equitable distribution of vaccines. Sana po ay bigyan naman natin ang iba ng pagkakataon na making bakunado rin [I hope let鈥檚 give others a chance to be vaccinated as well],鈥� Belmonte added.