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Senator Risa Hontiveros. (Screenshot / Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Risa Honiveros reminded authorities Wednesday that the COVID-19 vaccine should be used to protect people from the virus and not to advance the political agenda.
“Let’s be clear: the vaccine is a health solution, not a political favor. We must buy vaccines to protect our people from COVID-19. Not to promote anyone’s political agenda, ”Hontiveros said in a statement.
Citing a report from the Singapore-based Yusof Ishak Institute, Hontiveros also warned officials about the possible implication of China’s Sinovac vaccine in the problem of the Western Philippine Sea. According to her, the supply of vaccines “is not unconditional.”
“We shouldn’t just buy the vaccine. Do not sacrifice the health of the Filipinos on the altar of bias (of President Rodrigo Duterte) towards China, which has continually denied the Hague ruling and abused our waters, ”he said.
(We shouldn’t be impulsive when buying vaccines. Let’s not sacrifice Filipino health on the altar of the president’s bias toward China, which has continually denied the Hague ruling and abused our waters.)
“It’s about health, not politics. We should not receive political favors when lives are at stake, especially those that can be detrimental to the sovereignty of the country. The country’s silence on the continuing seizure and embezzlement of Chinese funds in the Western Philippine Sea should not replace the vaccine, ”Hontiveros concluded.
The statement came after experts questioned the efficacy rate of Sinovac, which in October it submitted to the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct phase 3 clinical trials for CoronaVac in the country.
The vaccine has not yet undergone an evaluation by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).
However, despite having no reports on the vaccine’s efficacy rate, COVID-19 policy implementation chief and vaccine czar Carlito Gálvez Jr. said Monday that the government is already finalizing negotiations. with the pharmaceutical company. He added that the firm has promised to supply vaccines by April 2021.
Hontiveros clarified that he sees no problems if the vaccine is safe, effective and affordable. However, he told lawmakers to back up their commitments with scientific evidence. He added that it should apply not just to Sinovac but to all possible vaccine offerings.
“Before we declare a preference for any vaccine, I remind the government that the first and only priority must be safety. Before trying, the vaccine that must be injected into millions of Filipinos must be safe and must not have serious side effects. All health standards and all safety steps must be followed. You shouldn’t rush, ”the senator said.
(Before declaring a preference for any vaccine, I remind the government that safety must be the first and only priority. Before using it for millions of Filipinos, the vaccine must be safe and without serious side effects. All standards must be followed. health and safety. You should not rush).
“There are multiple and undeniable issues surrounding the vaccine that China offers, including transparency of data and results, emerging side effects seen in Peru, and even a history of bribery by the company. This is reason enough to be concerned. If we want people to trust government decisions and vaccination, we have to earn it. There should be no compromises. Follow protocol, ”he added.
He also questioned the basis for choosing Sinovac despite being the most expensive brand on the market with a high price of P 3,629.50.
“So if it has not been proven to be safe and it is not even cheap, what is the basis for our preference for this vaccine?” she asked.
JPV
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