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MANILA, Philippines – Senator Panfilo Lacson questioned why China’s Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine has a “five-month advance” over the cheapest and most effective brands, allegedly indicating that the government has chosen said jab as the “chosen “for vaccination of the country. Program.
“The national government must accelerate the acquisition of all qualified and available vaccines. To borrow Secretary Harry Roque Jr.’s words, you shouldn’t be picky when buying vaccines, ”Lacson said Wednesday.
The senator’s statement comes after Malacañang said that the vaccine developed by Sinovac is the only option for Filipinos from February to June.
The Philippine government has already secured 25 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine, 50,000 of which will arrive in February.
However, Lacson noted that Sinovac has a five-month lead over other brands even though it has not even applied for an emergency use authorization (USA) with Philippine regulators yet.
‘Chosen one’
In addition, the senator questioned why Sinovac “appears to have the upper hand” even over Chinese state-owned Sinopharm, whose vaccine is 79 to 86 percent effective and is being used in the United Arab Emirates.
Sinovac, Lacson noted, is a privately owned Chinese company whose product efficacy is only 50 to 70 percent.
Its vaccine is also the second most expensive vaccine with P3,629 for two doses, he said.
“Can anyone explain why the second most expensive vaccine is preferred, it has lower efficacy, a history of suspended clinical trials and has not even applied for the US over other vaccines that cost much less, are more effective and are about to receive his [EUA]”The senator also tweeted.
Can anyone explain why the second most expensive vaccine is preferred, has lower efficacy, a history of suspended clinical trials and has not even applied for the US over other vaccines that cost much less, are more effective and are about to receive their USA?
– PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) January 12, 2021
Lacson, along with other senators, have repeatedly questioned the government’s apparent preference for the Sinovac vaccine.
He also noted that during Monday’s Senate hearing on the government’s vaccination plan, officials appeared “prepared with justifications to favor Sinovac.”
“Vaccine Czar Carlito Gálvez Jr.’s response that they will advise Sinovac to apply for a USA, after signing a contract with him, only made it clear that Sinovac is really the one,” Lacson continued.
EDV
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