BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Health – Cordillera regional office advises the public against buying Japanese Encephalitis vaccine or any other vaccine being sold online or from unauthorized distributors or retailers.
DOH – CAR Entomologist Ursula Segundo, in a Kapihan media forum here Friday, disclosed that the Food and Drug Administration recently issued Advisory No. 2017–265 warning the public against accessing vaccines online or from non–FDA authorized sellers to avoid being at risk of buying vaccines of poor quality or compromised by non–compliance to the required standards of FDA, or worse, of buying counterfeit products.
Under Republic Act 3720, an Act Ensuring the Safety of Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics, and as amended by RA 9711, all establishments that sell or offer for sale vaccines and other drug products must first secure appropriate – License to Operate (LTO) or authorization from FDA, Segundo explained.
In the same media forum, Dr. Maria Socorro Sarfati of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, said getting vaccines for Japanese Encephalitis or Dengue during their peak (rainy season) is not advisable as it does not guarantee instant effectiveness and may also cause complications. (JDP/Carlito Dar-PIA CAR)
