DOST: WHO Solidarity Trial for COVID-19 vaccine in PH may start December

MANILA, Philippines — The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Solidarity Trial of potential COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines would likely start in December, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Friday.

DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said the Philippines can only begin recruiting patients to participate in the trials after WHO releases the vaccines and protocols.

This could occur by October, he noted.

“The fastest may be that we can start in December, last quarter,” Dela Peña said in an online media forum.

Citing experts, he said that vaccine trials could range from three to six months. Thus, the earliest possible availability of a COVID-19 vaccine will be in the second quarter of 2021.

“The very early forecast of the second quarter of 2021 is still the best forecast that we can give,” the DOST chief said.

According to Dela Peña, participants to the WHO Solidarity Trial may be chosen from the five to 10 barangays with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Apart from the WHO Solidarity Trial, the Philippines is also in talks with 17 vaccine manufacturers for access to a COVID-19 vaccine.

Six of these vaccine manufacturers have already signed confidential disclosure agreements with the government for the conduct of clinical trials, manufacturing, and procurement.

KGA