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An official and published scientific report on the efficacy rate of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac has not yet been released, the director general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Monday. English), Eric Domingo, amid doubts about the brand.
In an interview on CNN Philippines, Domingo explained that the Sinovac clinical trial has multiple arms in different countries and that the efficacy rate varies.
The efficacy rate of Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine in Brazil is at least 50%, while in Turkey it exceeded 90%, according to the FDA chief.
“We really have to wait for the actual interim scientific report on phase 3 of the clinical trial. I haven’t seen any,” Domingo said, noting that the firm is expected to submit a consolidated report on the results.
“So far, all we hear is like press releases or sub-statements, but we have not seen the scientific output and we can only base our assessment and evaluation on published scientific reports,” he added.
Vaccine Czar Carlito Gálvez Jr. previously said that the Philippines is in talks with China for the first COVID-19 vaccine that is expected to be administered in the country in March 2021.
The 50% efficacy of the Sinovac vaccine in a late-stage trial in Brazil was “acceptable” for the executive director of the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research Development, Jaime Montoya, as he explained that it meets the minimum requirement established by the World Health Organization for a vaccine to be used by a country.
On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said it is “totally unacceptable and a total waste of our funds and resources.”
Domingo said that while the effectiveness rate is an important factor, the government is also weighing other considerations such as availability, ease of transportation, storage and administration of the product, as well as price.
“Secretary Charlie Galvez is really looking at several possible sources. Maybe four or five different vaccines so that we can get enough vaccines to cover the entire population,” he said.
The Health Department also dismissed speculation that the government is favoring one product over others, saying the government is considering purchasing six to seven COVID-19 vaccines.—AOL, GMA News
