WHO considers 2 brands of vaccines for clinical trial at HP: technical panel

MANILA – The World Health Organization multi-country clinical trial for COVID-19 vaccines will likely begin early next year, according to the Philippine panel of vaccine experts.

Dr. Nina Gloriani, a professor at the University of the Philippines School of Public Health and director of the Department of Science and Technology’s Vaccine Technical Panel, said it could start in early to mid-January 2021.

Previously, it was scheduled to start in December, but the WHO has yet to release a list of vaccines that will be included in the trial.

“We will meet again tonight, so we hope the final list comes out soon. I think it would be around 2 vaccines at least that will be tested initially, ”Gloriani said during a Health Department briefing.

Gloriani said the WHO has shortlisted 5 vaccines, but has not yet made the announcement official.

Gloriani said the WHO is taking its time because it is “very careful in choosing each one.”

Two of the most promising vaccines also had “certain issues” that needed to be addressed.

The WHO Solidarity Trial is independent of clinical trials planned by independent vaccine developers.

The DOH has previously said that it preferred to have local clinical trials to test the effectiveness of vaccines in Filipinos.