The Department of Health (DOH) has left P2.83 billion in appropriations unreleased, primarily earmarked for procuring Covid-19 booster shots, the Commission on Audit (COA) reported.

Audit findings revealed that P2,792,970,000, classified under maintenance and other operating expenses for booster shot purchases, remained unused as of the end of 2023.

The DOH attributed the unreleased funds to an adequate supply of COVID-19 vaccines sourced from donations and earlier procurements, which were sufficient to meet projected booster demand.

"Hence, the release of funds was no longer requested," the COA report stated.

Key factors contributing to the unused appropriation included vaccine hesitancy and the lifting of the public health emergency declaration in July 2023.

The DOH explained that the Emergency Use Authorization for the vaccines had been lifted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), rendering further procurement impossible.

"As there were no longer demands for the vaccines, the DOH no longer used the P2.8 billion to procure vaccines," the report added.

The department noted that international mass production of vaccines coincided with waning demand as the pandemic reached its saturation point.

"When the 78 million Filipinos vaccinated is already reached, this is already saturated," the DOH explained.

The unreleased appropriation has since been reverted to the unappropriated surplus of the general fund, effectively nullifying the original intent of the legislation.

The P2.83 billion was part of the DOH’s total P255 billion allotment for 2023.