DOH warns those selling COVID-19 vaccination slots
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 22)— The National Task Force Against COVID-19 on Saturday said it has launched an investigation on the reported selling of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination priority slots in some local government units.
In a statement, the NTF reiterated that all vaccines are free for qualified citizens, and selling priority slots is “illegal and punishable by law.”
“The [NTF] is deeply concerned with reports it has received regarding the illicit selling of anti-COVID vaccines. We are investigating this matter,” the task force said.
“For those who are engaged in the unauthorized sale of anti-COVID vaccines, we ask you to stop what you are doing. The long arm of the law will soon catch up on you,” it warned.
Authorities in the cities of San Juan and Mandaluyong have launched their own probe into the alleged scheme. Viral reports on social media showed slots have been sold for P8,000 to P15,000, depending on the brand.
Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos on Friday said she instructed the city police chief to coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation.
Department of Health Spokesperson Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said those caught selling COVID-19 vaccination slots will be penalized under the law.
“An investigation is already underway. Through the NBI, we will know if these are real or dummy online accounts,” Abalos said in a statement. “But whether real or fake, they will be answerable to the law.”
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora also vowed to act on the matter.
“We have reached out to the individual who posted this so we can take necessary actions against this person claiming to have access to our vaccination program for a fee,” he said in a statement Friday, referring to the post claiming the person received an offer for vaccine access supposedly through Mandaluyong or San Juan’s vaccination programs.
Vergeire explained that COVID-19 vaccines in the country are under emergency use authorization, which means these are not commercially available, and should not be sold to anyone. She added the government paid for all the doses procured for Filipinos.
“Lahat po ng mga bakuna natin ay libre. Huwag niyo pong pakitunguhan ang mga taong nagbebenta nito,” Vergeire told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Weekend on Saturday.
PNP to conduct own probe
Meanwhile, PNP chief PGen Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said the police will also conduct a probe on the matter.
[Translation: All of the vaccines are free of charge. Do not patronize those selling it.]
“As per directive of our SILG (Secretary of Interior and Local Government) Eduardo Año, I have ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to identify and arrest the person or persons behind these scams,” he said.
The officials urged people to come forward and disclose information on the illegal activity.
COVID-19 vaccines are only approved for emergency use and cannot be sold commercially.
READ: Mandaluyong and San Juan to investigate reports circulating on social media about the alleged sale of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination slots | @syinocencio
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— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) May 22, 2021
