Palace: If Philippines can get China COVID-19 vaccines early, why not?

Malacañang on Monday defended the government’s plan to secure COVID-19 vaccines from China despite questions on their efficacy and affordability.

Speaking at a news conference, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque dismissed speculation that the government is playing favorites with vaccine makers.

“Linawin ko po: Kukuha po tayo ng bakuna kung saan mayroon tayong makukuhanan. Sa ngayon po, ang pinakamaaga na makukuha natin doon sa mga western vaccine is June, sana nga po matupad iyan,” Roque said.

“Pero kung makakakuha po tayo ng Chinese vaccine na mas maaga, bakit hindi?”

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier urged Malacañang to choose the "best" vaccine against COVID-19 based on efficacy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

This after he learned that China’s Sinovac, which Malacañang earlier said to be the Philippines' top pick for a COVID-19 vaccine, only yielded a 50% efficacy rate, aside from being more costly compared to other vaccines available. 

Roque, however, said the 50% efficacy is within the minimum standard set by the World Health Organization.

"Hindi naman po sinabi na ang Sinovac ay 50% efficacy lamang. Ang sabi po ay in excess of 50%. In fact, ang mga sinasabi po ng ilang mga hurisdiksyon na nagbigay na rin ng EUA [emergency use authorization] ay umaabot sa 90 plus percent po iyan," he said.

He also said the United Arab Emirates rolled out a vaccination program using Chinese developed-Sinopharm vaccine, which showed an 86% efficacy rate.

In addition, the Chinese-made vaccines will have to undergo evaluation for safety and efficacy by the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration, Roque said.

“Sa panahon po ngayon na marami ng bakunang naglalabanan, huwag po kayong maniwala sa lahat ng naririnig ninyo. Sila-sila pong mga naggagawa ng mga bakuna nagsisiraan na hindi lang laban sa mga Chinese medicines pati po iyong mga western vaccines nagsisiraan din sila sa isa’t-isa,” he said.

On December 17, Malacañang disclosed that the Philippines aims to secure four COVID-19 vaccines that will be used in the vaccination of its citizens as early as the first quarter of 2021.

Three of the vaccines will come from China (Sinovac Biotech, CanSino Biologics and Sinopharm) and the other one will be produced by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine may be used by the second quarter. Last month, the Philippine government, the private sector and AstraZeneca signed a tripartite agreement for the country to secure a supply of 2.6 million doses.

Vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, Moderna and doses from the World Health Organization-backed COVAX Facility are expected to arrive in the third quarter.

So far, only Pfizer-BioNTech has applied for an emergency use authorization for its vaccine, which may allow it to be the first to be made available in the Philippines. -NB, GMA News