House panel looks into PH Covid-19 vaccine roadmap

This illustrative photograph taken in a studio shows a minature shopping cart with syringee and bottles reading “Covid-19 Vaccine”, in Paris, on January 8, 2021. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Committee on Health opened Monday its inquiry into the national government’s Covid-19 vaccine roadmap as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic.

Health Committee chairman and Quezon 4th District Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan, said that the hearing will tackle the government’s Covid-19 vaccination plan, including the cost of purchased vaccines, as well as their availability for purchase to households.

Tan, however, said that issues that are possibly bound by confidentiality will be tackled through an executive session.

House of Representatives. INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta

In a Senate hearing last week, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., citing confidentiality agreements, declined to disclose the official price offered by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac to the government.

Galvez denied reports that Coronavac, the name of Sinovac’s Covid-19 vaccine, was the second most expensive in the administration’s choices.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr answers queries from senators during the continuation of the Senate Committee of the Whole hybrid hearing on the national government’s COVID-19 vaccination program last Friday, January 15, 2021. (Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB)

“It’s important that we learn whether the vaccines procured are as cost-efficient as they are safe and effective,” Tan said in a statement.

“We would also like to inquire whether Filipinos will be afforded the opportunity to choose and purchase out-of-pocket their choice of vaccines, and how much these will cost for those who would choose this option,” she added.

The House panel’s hearing opened hours before the lower chamber resumes session following its holiday break.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has said that Covid-19 vaccine is among the lower chamber’s priority issues once it resumes session.

Info drive on vaccine brands

San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Florida “Rida” P. Robes called on the Inter- Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) to implement a massive information campaign on the different Covid-19 vaccines.

Robes made the statement in order to allay the fears and questions being raised on the safety and efficacy of the different vaccines that are currently being administered abroad.

“There is too much information that our countrymen are getting confused and anxious about getting the vaccine. The government, particularly the IATF, should go on a massive information drive to give the real score on the vaccines and the vaccination program that soon will be rolled out when we have the vaccines,” Robes said.

Robes, who chairs the House Committee on People’s Participation, has been spearheading dialogues with international pharmaceutical companies leading in vaccine development with Philippine health officials to facilitate the approval of Covid-19 vaccine in the Philippines.

She pointed out that she has talked to many of people in her district who expressed their apprehension on getting the vaccine because of questions on their safety and efficacy.

“Initially they wanted to get the vaccine but with the many information that they get from social media that many we know are not true, they are now having second thoughts. We should allay their fears through a massive information drive that will go all the way to the grassroots,” she stated.

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