MANILA – Filipinos should hold their judgment on China’s Sinovac Biotech coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine until a formal assessment by experts is done.
Testing czar Carlito Galvez made the statement following a public uproar over reports that the China-based vaccine is just 50 percent effective.
Researchers on Tuesday revealed that Sinovac’s vaccine was just 50.4 percent effective at preventing symptomatic infections in a Brazilian trial.
“Hintayin po natin iyong official pronouncement ng ating vaccine experts panel,” Galvez said Wednesday.
“Iyon lang po ay mga pronouncement ng mga different news at ang ano po natin talaga, dapat scientifically proven,” he added.
The Philippines has secured 25 million jabs of the Sinovac vaccine, the first 50,000 doses of which will arrive in the country in February, Galvez said.
In China, Sinovac’s emergency use is authorized for the elderly and people who are at risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms, Galvez noted.
He added that Sinovac Biotech is waiting for two things before seeking Philippine clearance for its COVID-19 vaccine.
“Nilalatag na po ngayon,” Galvez said. “The firm is waiting for China’s permission for export and general use, which might be issued in the first week of February.”
“Sinovac also needs to wrap up its vaccine clinical trials in Turkey and Brazil, data from which will be submitted to the Philippines’ drug regulator,” he added./PN
