Rappler
Senators hit ‘ridiculous’ DOH plan to bar some industries from buying vaccines
Senator Imee Marcos revealed a draft administrative order from the Department of Health that reportedly aims to prevent companies producing "unhealthy" products like tobacco, sugar, and alcohol from importing COVID-19 vaccines.
Marcos described the supposed DOH plan as "downright evil" and "ridiculous" during separate interviews.
The draft order states that the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and the DOH must review requests from private entities to procure vaccines.
The review aims to ensure that these private entities are not related to the tobacco industry, products covered by the 'National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Supplement and Other Related Products', milk, sugar, soda, or alcohol.
Senator Marcos questioned why whole industries are being banned from importing vaccines, especially as the government is scrambling to secure enough doses.
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See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
Senate leaders, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Imee Marcos, have criticized a draft administrative order that would prevent private companies, particularly those selling "sin products," from importing COVID-19 vaccines for their employees.
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Former Health Secretary Janette Garin criticized a draft order that would restrict private companies from buying their own vaccines for employees, calling it a 'mortal sin' and arguing it undermines public health efforts and herd immunity.
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Private companies are now permitted to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for their employees through a tripartite agreement with the government and vaccine manufacturers.
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