DOH: Study must be made before making decision on Sinovac trial

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government must study first whether it would push through with the clinical trial of China’s Sinovac Biotech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine after the vaccine’s trial was stopped in Brazil following an “adverse incident” involving a volunteer recipient.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday said the Philippines is still waiting for an official document or report of the incident from the drug firm.

Upon receipt of the document, the country’s vaccine expert panel, as well as the Food and Drug Administration, will study it and will decide whether to push through with the clinical trial.

“Kailangan pag-aaralan pa rin. Hindi porke it was claimed in some country na may adverse effect, immediately i-stop natin,” Vergeire said in an online media forum.

(That still needs to be studied first.)

“It has to be through that manufacturer also that they will inform us and we will have discussions with them and we will have our experts evaluate this kung talagang valid at saka kailangan itigil muna,” she added.

Sinovac’s vaccine is the only vaccine as of yet that has been cleared by the country’s vaccine experts panel (VEP).

Before it can commence its clinical trial, Sinovac would need approval from the Ethics Board and the Food and Drug Administration.

Earlier, Brazil’s health regulator said it had suspended clinical trials of a Chinese-developed COVID-19 vaccine after an “adverse incident” involving a volunteer recipient.

/MUF