(UTV | PHILIPPINES) – Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the Chinese Embassy to take back 1,000 donated Sinopharm vaccines, after he was criticised for taking an unapproved vaccine.
In response, Mr Duterte said China should in future only send Sinovac vaccines – a separate Chinese vaccine which is in use in the Philippines.
Sinopharm has not yet been approved in the Philippines.
Both Sinopharm and Sinovac are expected to receive WHO approval this week.
Mr Duterte said he only got the Sinopharm shot under a compassionate use clause, and that his doctors had advised him to get vaccinated.
“Don’t follow my footsteps,” Mr Duterte said, according to local media reports. “It’s dangerous because there are no studies, it might not be good for the body. Just let me be the sole person to receive it.”