San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora said Monday he received four shots of two different COVID-19 vaccine brands over six months, prompting the Department of Health to remind the public that the need for booster shots beyond the minimum two had not been justified.
The 76-year-old revealed his vaccination status during an event wherein the city announced the fulfillment of its target to immunize 70% of its population with at least one dose.
Zamora said he got his first Sinopharm shot in December 2020, three months before the government officially rolled out its vaccination program. At that time, the Chinese-made jab has yet to secure emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.
"Kung nagtataka kayo kung bakit si Congressman Zamora ay hindi nagma-mask, sasabihin ko sa inyo: I have been vaccinated twice, twice over," he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
After two Sinopharm doses, Zamora said he got two booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine.
"Sino nakakuha ng Sinopharm sa Pilipinas? Isa doon si Presidente. Kaya lang kung parehong pinagkunan namin, pareho kami 'bootleg.' Ibig sabihin wala akong maipapakitang dokumento o vaccination form na puwede akong makapag-travel," he said.
His doctors recommended he take two booster shots because he was "severely immunocompromised," he said, adding he could not enter the U.S. or Europe if he is immunized with a Chinese drug.
Booster shots still not recommended
Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said there was not evidence to support the need for booster shots, even for health workers. She also cited short supply.
"Pauulit-ulitin ko: Mixing and matching at saka booster doses ay hindi pa po nairerekomenda sa ngayon ng Department of Health at ng mga eksperto dahil hindi pa po kumpleto ang ating mga ebidensya," she said in a press briefing.
She also reminded doctors to follow government protocols and wait for the result of a real-world study on mixing and matching of vaccines and booster shots.
"Hindi pa ho lahat ng ating mga kababayan o 'yung mga kapitbahay ninyo ay nabibigyan ng bakuna so sana po let us try to wait for direct evidence and science before we can go into that direction of getting booster doses. Let us give a chance for everybody to receive these vaccines."