PRRD yet to receive 2nd dose of Covid-19 jab: Palace

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to receive his second dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine, Malacañang said on Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the clarification after Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander, Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, said the President has been fully vaccinated.

“Gen. Durante was mistakenly informed by his medical staff that a second dose was already administered to the President. Further, Gen. Durante has admitted, apologized and rectified his earlier remarks. We hope this clarifies the matter,” he said in a press statement.

In an interview with PTV-4 earlier on Friday, Durante said the President has already received the second dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine developed by China’s pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm.

Duterte got his first Sinopharm jab on May 3. At that time, Sinopharm has yet to secure an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the administration of its Covid-19 vaccines.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Sinopharm, China’s state-owned pharmaceutical company, an EUA early this month.

Initially, FDA only issued a compassionate use license for the inoculation of 10,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to PSG members.

Strict health, safety protocols

In the same interview, Durante said the PSG would continue implementing strict health and safety protocols even after Duterte already received the second Covid-19 vaccine shot.

He said the presidential security guards’ resolve is to keep Duterte safe to enable him to serve and protect the country until his remaining days in office.

“Kami sa PSG at aming mga kasama dito sa Malacañang, ay sinisiguro po na ligtas ang Pangulo sa kapahamakan, lalong lalo na dito sa pandemiya upang siya ay makapaglingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino, hanggang sa huling araw ng kaniyang termino (We, PSG and Malacañang personnel, are making sure that the President is safe from any harm, especially from the pandemic, so he can serve all Filipinos until his term ends),” he said.