BY ANALOU DE VERA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that a vaccine for COVID-19 may become available in the Philippines by March 2021.
FDA Director-General Rolando Enrique Domingo said that this is a possibility amid the recent developments in the United Kingdom, United States of America, and other countries.
Previously, the government said that COVID-19 vaccines may reach the Philippines by the second quarter of next year. He also added that the process of approving a vaccine will be shortened – from six months to 21-28 days – after President Duterte issued an executive order allowing the FDA to grant an emergency use authorization (EUA) to possible COVID-19 vaccines that will enter the country.
The United Kingdom has approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 candidate vaccine for emergency use. Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna are now also in the process of securing an EUA from US health regulators, said Domingo.
Domingo said that pharmaceutical companies may apply for an EUA in the Philippines after they secure an EUA from their respective governments.
The FDA chief said that those who already secured an EUA from the other countries would likely apply in the Philippines.
Domingo said it “will be up to the decision of the program implementers” on who should be prioritized to receive the vaccines once they are already available.
He also added that the Department of Health (DoH) is now gearing to come up with an educational campaign about the potential risk and benefits of vaccines, noting that vaccination is not mandatory. (Analou de Vera)
