Senators: 50% Sinovac effectiveness unacceptable
Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star) – December 26, 2020 – 12:00 p.m.
MANILA, Philippines – Senators strongly warned the government yesterday not to risk the lives of Filipinos and acquire China’s Sinovac vaccine, saying it is not only expensive compared to other brands, but only 50% effective. .
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon in separate statements expressed alarm at reports that Sinovac trials in Brazil showed that the vaccine made in China was only effective more than 50 percent. According to reports, its manufacturer, Sinovac Biotech Ltd., has withheld data on its tests.
They noted that the Pfizer vaccine has a high 95% efficacy rate, but has strict cold storage requirements, while AstraZeneca serum has at least 75% efficacy, but with more complete storage standards. .
Zubiri said the search for COVID-19 vaccines in the country must take into account key factors such as safety, efficacy, pricing and ease of distribution and implementation.
“All of these factors need to be harmonized to make sure we deliver to our people the vaccine that is cost-effective, but that is efficient and deliverable. When we say efficient, that means a high rate of effectiveness,” Zubiri said. .
“Therefore, the plan to obtain vaccines with an effectiveness rate of 50% is totally unacceptable and is a total waste of our funds and resources. It is a joke that there is a 50/50 chance that you have COVID even after get vaccinated, ”he added.
To underscore his point, Zubiri said a 50% effectiveness could mean that one in two Filipinos hit with Sinovac would still be infected with COVID-19, which would be dangerous for the elderly, leaders and those with comorbidities.
He appealed to the National Working Group on COVID-19 to examine the effectiveness of candidate vaccines “rather than political or geopolitical reasons”.
“The safety of our people should come first, not the feelings of our neighboring friends,” Zubiri said.
Drilon said that while there is a great urgency in acquiring vaccines and the government is trying to find a balance between several key factors, safety and efficacy should be the first and foremost consideration, otherwise , people run the risk of rejecting inoculations out of fear.
“We are talking about the lives and future of Filipinos here. We can’t accept “this will do” when it comes to vaccines, ”Drilon said in Filipino.
He said the Tsar’s vaccine secretary, Carlito Galvez, should carefully consider reports on the Chinese vaccine and wait for the clearest guidelines from the scientific community and other licensing bodies to determine whether Sinovac “is worth offering- the one in our town “.
He said it is very important for the government to start a vaccination program in 2021 with the best possible combination of vaccines it can get.
“There is a global shortage of vaccines and we should focus on vaccinating our priority segments,” Drilon said.
The herd’s immunity will require a multi-year vaccination program and, over time, the country may try to inoculate between 60 and 90% of the population.
“But our short-term priority should be to vaccinate our leaders and the most at-risk population, which is the top 20 percent,” Drilon said.
Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is preparing its fleet to assist in the eventual transportation of COVID-19 vaccines to the country and the region.
“The expected global launch of the COVID-19 vaccine contributes to the cautious optimism of the Philippine tourism and travel sectors. PAL is preparing its fleet of wide-body aircraft for the task of transporting vaccines to the Philippines and the Philippines. region, ”he said.
Precious Castelo, the second representative of the Quezon City district, previously urged the government to take advantage of local airlines for the transportation and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in and around the country. – Richmond Mercury