A vaccine that opposes coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) could be in a position to be used in the Philippines until the last quarter of 2021, according to an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).
In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, DoST Undersecretary Cristina Guevara, who heads the sub-technical organization for the Interagency Vaccine Task Force, said the Philippines would begin clinical trials on potential vaccines until the last quarter of 2020.
“If we learn about mass availability, we think it will be available at the time of this year’s quarter, but if we learn about clinical trials, they will begin in the fourth quarter of this year.”Guevara said.
The assembly arranged to tell the media about the progression of other vaccines around the world, with Russia’s top touted Sputnik V being promoted, which was legal for the final phase of trials.
The managing director of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, announced last week that Moscow was ready to give Manila 1,000 vials of vaccine for its Phase 3 trials.
The director general of the Food and Drug Administration, Rolando Enrique Domingo, said the firm would conduct phase 3 trials in the Philippines for any vaccine unless it has passed the first two phases.
“We will not settle for a Phase 3 trial here in the country if [the manufacturer] presents in phase one and phase two trials the protection and safe point of effectiveness of a vaccine,” he said.
In an interview with The Manila Times, Domingo said a vaccine developer will provide the first stages one and two of the studies to the DoST Vaccine Expert Panel, which will give the green touch to a vaccine for clinical trials in the country.
He also reminded local government officials that they are conducting their own clinical trials to first apply for FDA authorization.
Dr. Jaime Montoya, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for the Development of Health Research at DoST, said vaccine progression requires a lot of research, planning, infrastructure and construction.
“We also want our price chain in terms of vaccine availability,” Montoya said.
Dr. Lulu Bravo of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination suggested that the public accept clinical reports as true and not rely on rumors.
“Please pay attention to scientists and experts, not rumors,” Bravo said.
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