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Tolentino dares Duque to get first shot of China vaccine vs. COVID-19


Duque did not give a categorical answer when asked whether he was willing to get the first shot.

Senator Francis Tolentino on Tuesday challenged Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to be the first one to receive the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by China.

"Mas mainam pa nga siguro Secretary, ikaw iyong maunang nagpaturok eh kaya napilitan siguro si Presidente na siya kasi hindi ka nag-volunteer," Tolentino said in a Senate hearing.

Duque did not give a categorical answer when asked whether he was willing to get the first shot.

"Padadaanin po natin iyan sa proseso ng ating regulatory FDA (Food and Drug Administration) para sigurado po tayo na alinsunod sa kaligtasan, de kalidad at epektibo ng mga bakuna na ito, lalo na kung bago mayroon pong risk na hindi natin alam kung ano ba idudulot nito sa bandang huli," Duque said.

"Let me remind you Mr. Secretary that your dilly dallying and semblance of evasion in answering the question is probably reflective of your non-bravery being the field marshall of this pandemic war," Tolentino replied.

Duque said those who will undergo the clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines in the country will be insured too.

"Mayroon pong conditionalities 'yan and one of which is to make sure that the subjects of clinical trials is insured po sila. Mayroon po silang insurance but di ko lang masiguro kung ano extent ng health insurance na kanilang pong kinukuha," he said.

Aside from the prospects of receiving COVID-19 vaccines from China, some 1,000 Filipinos would also join Phase 3 of the clinical trials for Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently said he would be willing to receive the first shot of the Russian-developed vaccine.

Phase 4 of clinical trial

During the same hearing, Duque explained that there are actually four phases in vaccine development and the last one of which is the "completion of the post-marketing surveillance or study of the vaccine" to ensure safety.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon asked Duque if he would endorse the waiver of Phase 4 to fast-track the roll out of vaccines in the Philippines.

"Very difficult, sir, to answer... No, knowing what I know," Duque replied.

Senator Pia Cayetano, a member of the bicameral conference committee for Bayanihan 2, asked further if it would be better to indicate in the bill the waiver of Phase 4 if the vaccine is endorsed by the World Health Organization and countries with mature FDAs like the US, UK, and Russia.

"I will consult the experts, your honor. Having said that, I think one of the guiding principles in our pandemic response is science should be the basis of whatever decision you make," Duque said.

Drilon agreed that no waiver must be issued unless there is a scientific basis that would ensure safety of the recipients. -NB, GMA News

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