MANILA – Malacañang warned the public on Thursday not to believe “fake experts” who claimed that Covid-19 vaccines are not safe and effective against Covid-19.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disputed allegations made by Dr. Romeo Quijano, a retired professor at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, that Covid-19 vaccines are “unsafe” and “more dangerous” than the virus that causes the respiratory disease.
“Huwag po kayo makinig sa nagsasabing hindi epektibo at hindi ligtas ang mga bakuna. ‘Yan po ay mga pekeng eksperto (Do not believe those who say vaccines are not effective and safe. They’re fake experts),” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.
He claimed that all Covid-19 vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work against preventing fatalities and serious sickness caused by Covid-19, citing health experts from around the world.
“Sa buong mundo po kinikilala natin na lahat po ng bakuna na ginagamit natin aprubado ng WHO at ng Philippine FDA at iba’t-ibang FDA ng iba’t-ibang bansa ay ligtas at epektibo (The whole world recognizes that vaccines approved why the WHO, the Philippine FDA and FDAs of different countries are safe and effective),” he said.
Roque stressed that a Covid-19 vaccine is the “solution” to the existing health issue, according to health professionals around the world.
In a separate statement, the Department of Health (DOH) criticized the spread of inaccurate and misleading vaccine information, calling it “irresponsible” in the midst of the ongoing threat of Covid-19 and the more contagious Delta variant.
According to the DOH, there is an increasing evidence throughout the world that confirms Covid-19 vaccines are effective in reducing hospitalization and fatalities among vaccinated people.
“Despite increases in Covid-19 cases in these countries, the same rate of increase is not seen in hospitalization and deaths,” the DOH said.
Dr. Edsel Salvana, a member of the DOH-Technical Advisory Group and an infectious diseases expert, called it “unfortunate” that some medical professionals believe in conspiracy theories and indulge in “sensationalist propaganda” without giving appropriate evidence.
Such a move, he claims, damages lives and prolongs the pandemic.
“Their credentials as doctors and their willingness to unwittingly drag their institutions into the fray is confusing the public and affecting vaccine confidence. This will ultimately cost lives and prolong the pandemic,” Salvana said in a Facebook post.
To date, the Philippines has received 39.5 million doses of various Covid-19 vaccines.
Sinovac, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sputnik V, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are the Covid-19 vaccine brands that are currently in the Philippines’ inventory and have been cleared for emergency usage.
