By Fernan Angeles
WITH many countries already on their final stage of clinical trial of vaccines intended to contain the deadly coronavirus disease, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) issued a warning to the public of its possible side effects.
FDA director Dr. Eric Domingo however clarified that side effects depend on the type of the vaccine that is being tested. “Unang-una ‘yung mga local side effects: pamamaga sa site ng injection, ‘yung pananakit ng katawan. Merong iba nagkakaroon sila ng mild symptoms: pamimigat ng katawan right after the vaccine.”
Domingo added that the vaccine could also result in the formation of another disease in lieu of the coronavirus strain. “Ang isang bakuna maari rin siya maging cause ng sakit. So kailangan tingnan mo rin kung magko-cause siya noong parang sakit ng COVID-19 o iba pang sakit o kung wala siyang effect,” he added.
After issuing the warning, Domingo assured the public that the FDA will look into these possibilities before certifying any vaccines against COVID-19.
Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire earlier said that the government will still subject the Russia-made vaccine to regulatory procedures before clearing it for clinical trials.
“Just like any product, any other new technology katulad ng bakuna, idadaan natin ‘yan sa regulatory procedures,” 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, in reference to Russia’s triumph in 1957 being the first country in the world to launch a space satellite.
The same day, President Rodrigo Duterte 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.