MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL, Aug. 17 (PIA)--The Department of Health (DOH) still needs more information on COVID-19 vaccine after obtaining consent to put such on clinical trial.
During the daily Laging Handa Network Briefing with Communications Sec. Martin Adanar, DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III said, "With that process, we will know if the vaccine passes our standards of safety, efficacy, and quality. We will not just inject vaccines, especially new vaccines, so this must undergo the right process and system to ensure its safety, quality, and effectiveness."
When the vaccines will make it through clinical trial Phase 3, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) will conduct necessary regulations on their usage.
Vaccines approved for marketing may also be required to undergo additional studies to further evaluate the vaccine and often to address specific questions about the vaccine's safety, effectiveness, or possible side effects.
"It would take 3 to 6 months. The Phase 3 clinical trial would take about 6 months before it would be given a license to operate along with the certificate of product registration to legitimize its use," Duque said.
He added that a discussion with the United States and China about the vaccine still continues.
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is coordinating with the representatives of embassies and companies who have sent their intent to prioritize the Philippines.
Duque cited that President Donald Trump already asked a high official of Pfizer to prioritize Philippines but it's not clear yet if the vaccine that Pfizer is producing would be free or donated or would have to be paid for.
For his part, China President Xi Jinping has also ordered to prioritize the Philippines if vaccines are already out. (SMRN/PIA Misamis Occidental)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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