It was President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to push for the non-disclosure of Covid-19 vaccine brand before inoculation, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte issued this directive to make people overcome the preference for vaccine brands.

His directive was eventually supported by Metro Manila mayors.

On Monday, a huge crowd of Parañaque residents flocked a mall in hopes of getting inoculated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“It was the President who ordered that because he saw that there was a lack of social distancing in some venues where they announced vaccination using the Pfizer vaccine,” he said in a Palace press briefing in Filipino.

Roque noted that all Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective, regardless of brand.

“All vaccines are equal. They underwent intense study. They are all safe and effective. That’s why the most effective vaccine is the one on your arm,” he added in Filipino.

Amid criticism over Duterte’s new policy, Roque appealed to the public to refrain from being choosy over which Covid-19 vaccine to receive.

“We appeal for the understanding of our countrymen. But even if I got criticized before, our position is that there is no policy allowing anyone to choose their preferred vaccine brand,” he said in Filipino.

For his part, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said mayors of the National Capital Region support Duterte’s order not to disclose the Covid-19 vaccine brands in inoculation sites to prevent “super spreader” events.

In a virtual briefing on Thursday, Abalos said recent reports of large crowds flocking to vaccination sites offering Pfizer vaccines have made NCR mayors aware of the possibility of overcrowding.

“That’s what’s happening on the ground. And I share this with all Metro Manila mayors.  We have seen this,” Abalos said partly in Filipino.