MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 vaccine developed by China, Sinovac, has been recommended for use on the elderly according to the government’s vaccine expert panel this Wednesday.
The head of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) vaccine development expert panel, Dr. Nina Gloriani, said that FDA will release their decision on this matter soon.
“Ang alam ko po maglalabas narin soon ang FDA ng announcement about this. Ang vaccine experts po ay nakapag rekomenda na pwede siyang gamitin sa senior citizens,” Gloriani said.
Last February, the FDA recommended against using it for senior citizens due to lack of clinical studies and tests.
This recommendation comes up at a time of shortages of AstraZeneca vaccine doses in the country and postponements in the delivery of more doses.
“Na-evaluate na naming siya before, we looked at the safety profile, we’re just talking about the seniors. Maganda ang kanyang safety profile. Mild to moderate ang mga signs and symptoms, ito ay base sa pag-aaral sa Brazil, although kakaunti yung mga seniors na nasama doon sa study, around 400,” Gloriani said.
The government has been using AstraZenica for the elderly in the current vaccine plan.
“I do not know if FDA may remove that kasi po nasa pandemya tayo ngayon, at hindi po tayo pwedeng mag-delay dahil yung bakuna na iniintay natin ay hindi pa dumadating,” she added.
As of April 7, 2021 the Department of Health recorded 6,414 additional cases of Covid-19. Meanwhile, there were 163 cured and 242 who died.
Reporting by: Marcus Perez
Source: Inquirer