By Fernan Angeles
THE government is optimistic that a vaccine against COVID-19 infection would most likely be available by the end of the year.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo, concurrent director general of the Food and Drugs Administration, said that by that time, the world would probably have hundreds of vaccines which have already passed the final phase of its clinical trial.
Among the countries developing vaccines for coronavirus disease include China, the United States, London, and Russia. Web sources hinted on a three-month timetable to wrap up the final stage of the clinical trial
“Well, nandyan po ang posibilidad. Hindi naman siguro October kundi by end of the year,” he said.
He however clarified that even with a vaccine that has passed the third and final stage of clinical trial, the pharmaceutical companies behind it should first have it registered with the FDA, which would determine its viability.
“Kapag may mga nakita tayo, depende sa resulta, makita talaga na safe and effective after the Phase 3, then it’s really possible na before the end of the year meron nang bakuna na magpaparehistro, hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa ibang mga bansa,” he said.
Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire earlier said there is still no certainty if vaccine will be available locally by December despite the development in Russia regarding a COVID-19 vaccine
“Hindi pa po natin masabi kasi nasa Phase 3 pa lang ng clinical trials. Makikita po natin kung paano magpo-progress ito,” she said.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia became the first country in the world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing, calling it Sputnik V.
Upon hearing the news, President Rodrigo Duterte said he had accepted Putin’s offer to provide the country with a vaccine against COVID-19 and that he is willing to try it for himself during clinical trials.
The World Health Organization (WHO) however had reservations on the Russia-developed vaccine, citing the need for their antidote to finish the final stage of the clinical trial which would need two to three months.
“Ang huling update natin ay sa Russia mukhang nasa Phase 2 clinical trial pa lamang at patapos pa lamang. Kaya siguro nagulat din ang buong mundo na biglang kine-claim nila na approved na,” he said.
“Hindi natin alam kung ano ‘yung approval process na nangyari sa Russia or baka talagang nag-approve na sila after Phase 2 o kung talagang na-complete nila ‘yung Phase 3,” he added.
Domingo said the FDA will get more information about the approval of the Sputnik V vaccine.
Vergeire also said that government will still subject the Russia-made vaccine against COVID-19 to regulatory procedures before clearing it for clinical trials.