NBI to probe unauthorized sale and administration of COVID-19 vaccines in Northern Samar
THE JUSTICE department has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the alleged unauthorized sale and administration of coronavirus vaccines in the province of Northern Samar.
“The NBI has a standing order from the DoJ (Department of Justice) to investigate the sale or administration of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) vaccines outside the authorized channels of distribution,” Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra told reporters via Viber on Monday.
He added that the NBI “will be ready to assist” the police and the provincial board in any investigation of the reported incident.
Northern Samar’s provincial board began its investigation last week on the 15 doses of Sinovac vaccines that were allegedly taken from the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital last month and brought to a politician’s house.
A member of the provincial vaccination team had said earlier that “(t)here were no more people to receive the vaccination” at a designated site, hence the 15 doses were turned over to a female doctor.
Witnesses said they saw the doctor bring the doses to the politician’s house.
The provincial board summoned the doctor to a hearing, but she did not appear.
She later confirmed that she would testify in the next hearings of the board. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago
