Año says ”just one member of the Cabinet” injected with COVID-19 vaccine

December 29, 2020

A day after he said some members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were injected with a vaccine against COVID-19, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said a Cabinet member received the vaccine.

“I only know just one member of the Cabinet but I cannot disclose his identity because I don't want to violate his right to privacy,” Año said in a TV interview on Tuesday.

“I am not sure when (it happened) but I know at least one cabinet (member),” he said.

Año did not say what was the vaccine.

During his emergency meeting last Saturday, President Rodrigo Duterte revealed that there  people who got COVID-19 vaccine from China’s Sinopharm.

Asked if he is the one who was inoculated, Año reiterated that he has developed antibodies after being infected twice with COVID-19.

On the PSG soldiers being vaccinated, Año said only those who are protecting Duterte received it and the vaccines used were donated.

“Let's make it clear, these vaccines were actually donated by probably someone who has access to that particular country but there has been no commercial distribution or more so voluntary on the part of the soldier,” he said.

Año also said it is not illegal to receive a vaccine that is not yet registered by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

“These vaccines have EUA (emergency use authorization) in the originating country and if somebody would like to try that for personal consumption, I don't see any conflict on the law,” he said.

“I don't see anything illegal there because it's not, we'll we have to consult the legal... I have read also the law. What is prohibited is selling and distributing without regulatory approval but if you are using it for personal use to somebody who has bought it from a country who has EUA... I don't see anything illegal there,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS