PNP backs move vs COVID booster shots

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Sunday expressed support for ordinances that would prevent fully vaccinated persons from availing of more COVID-19 jabs or ‘boosters’ particularly those freely given by local government units (LGUs).

“Huwag tayong maging gahaman sa bakuna. Marami pa sa atin ang hindi nababakunahan, maski first dose, dahil na din sa limitadong suplay na nakararating sa bansa,” he said.

“Bukod dito ay wala pa’ng rekomendasyon ang mga eksperto kung ligtas ba ang booster shots at kung tunay na epektibong proteksyon sa COVID-19 at iba’t-ibang variants nito,” the top cop added.

Amid the insufficient supply of vaccines, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos had called on mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) to come up with ordinances that will impose sanctions on persons who are getting booster shots using vaccine doses procured by the national government.

Gen. Eleazar appealed to the public to think of the welfare of others who have not yet received even their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

“Sa mga kumpleto na sa bakuna, huwag na nating agawan pa ang mga kababayan natin na kailangan din naman ng proteksyon. Ito ay para na din sa kaligtasan ng lahat dahil hindi tayo sigurado kung may masamang epekto sa katawan ang booster shots lalo na kung iba-ibang brands ang naiturok sa atin,” the PNP chief said.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is still conducting tests on the safety and efficacy of combining COVID-19 vaccine brands.

Two persons in Quezon City have been slapped with complaints after getting booster shots in the city despite being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. They were charged with violating an ordinance prohibiting COVID-19 vaccination fraud.

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Alfred P. Dalizon