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MANILA, Philippines – The World Health Organization (WHO) solidarity trial of potential COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines is likely to begin in December, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said on Friday.
DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said the Philippines can only begin recruiting patients to participate in the trials after the vaccines and protocols are released by the WHO.
This could happen in October, he noted.
“The quickest thing may be that we can start in December, the last quarter,” Dela Peña said in an online media forum.
Citing experts, he said vaccine trials could last three to six months. Therefore, the earliest possible availability of a COVID-19 vaccine will be in the second quarter of 2021.
“The very early forecast for the second quarter of 2021 is still the best forecast we can give,” said the head of DOST.
According to Dela Peña, the participants in the WHO Solidarity Trial can be chosen from the five to ten barangays with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
In addition to the WHO Solidarity Trial, the Philippines is also in talks with 17 vaccine manufacturers to access a COVID-19 vaccine.
Six of these vaccine manufacturers have already signed confidential disclosure agreements with the government for clinical trials, manufacturing and procurement.
KGA
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For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
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