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MANILA, Philippines – It would be “foolish” for the Philippine government to choose China’s Sinovac vaccine when it only has a 50 percent efficacy rate, Agusan del Norte representative Lawrence Fortun said Saturday.
Fortun said the government “should not give in to any innuendo, pressure or campaign from the Chinese government, the Chinese embassy or any of their representatives” and not settle for a vaccine that only has a 50 percent efficacy rate.
“It would be foolish on the part of the Filipinos and their government to choose the vaccine from China at this time. Just out of the question, ”Fortun said in a statement.
“Our government should abandon any prior verbal agreements they may have had. They must politely decline offers on Sinovac. Our scientists from DOST (Department of Science and Technology) and DOH (Department of Health) authorities should not give in to any pressure from the Chinese government or our national political leaders regarding Sinovac, ”he added.
In addition, Fortun noted that no Filipino should be allowed to have the vaccine “which barely exceeds minimum standards.”
“The Filipino people must now express to the IATF and Malacanang what they prefer to be given when it is their turn to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” Fortun said.
The DOST previously said that the 50 percent efficacy of Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine is “acceptable” as it is within the World Health Organization (WHO) minimum requirement.
Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Franklin Drilon have lowered Sinovac’s 50 percent effectiveness rate.
Zubiri said a 50 percent efficacy rate for a coronavirus pandemic vaccine is “a joke” and is “totally unacceptable,” while Drilon said such a low efficacy rate will not generate public confidence in vaccines.
EDV
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