President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief of security has taken back his remarks on Friday, June 25, in which he said the Chief Executive has received his second dose of Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine.

On Thursday afternoon, Presidential Security Group chief Brigadier General Jess Durante told state-run People’s Television that Duterte was fully-vaccinated.

“Fourteen days after the activity [first dose], he got his second dose,” he said.

Because his information contradicted Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque’s earlier announcement that Duterte was waiting for the emergency use approval (EUA) of the Sinopharm vaccine, which was issued more than a month after the Chief Executive’s first jab, reporters checked with Roque. Roque then said Durante was correct as he had “personal knowledge” of the matter. 

“Go with General Durante,” the spokesman told reporters.

But then a few hours later, Senator Bong Go, Duterte’s trusted longtime aide, told reporters Durante was mistaken.

At around 6:30 pm, or roughly four hours after Durante’s interview, Roque issued a statement saying Duterte is yet to receive his second jab and that Durante was “mistakenly informed by his medical staff” that the second dose was administered.

“General Durante has admitted, apologized, and rectified his earlier remarks,” said Roque.

If it’s true that Duterte hasn’t gotten his second dose yet, it means the gap between that and his first dose is at seven weeks and counting.

The 76-year-old Duterte got his first dose on May 3, almost two months ago.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that there be an interval of three to four weeks between the two required Sinopharm doses.

“If administration of the second dose is delayed beyond four weeks, it should be given at the earliest possible opportunity,” said the WHO in its FAQ about the Sinopharm jab.

Roque had previously claimed Duterte was waiting for the Philippine Food and Drug Administration to issue emergency use approval for Sinopharm’s vaccine before receiving his second shot. But an EUA covering the batch of Sinopharm vaccines which include his second dose had already been issued last June 7.

Duterte had bristled at criticism that he was able to get his choice of vaccine even when it was covered only by a compassionate special permit and not an EUA.

Early this year, Duterte made known his preference for Sinopharm’s vaccine. Even while the jab lacked an EUA because Sinopharm had yet to apply and complete requirements, Duterte had already been finding ways to get shots for him and his family, according to his former envoy to China Ramon Tulfo.

The Presidential Security Group even managed to get vaccinated in September and October 2020 without FDA permits. The move was slammed by critics who said it proved that the powerful and well-connected could choose their vaccines and take shortcuts under Duterte’s presidency. – Rappler.com