COVID-19 vaccine safety, efficacy more crucial than brands –doctors

The safety and efficacy of a coronavirus vaccine is more important than the brand name it carries, health workers said Tuesday amid discussions on whether Filipinos can afford to be “picky” when it comes to vaccines.

In Ivan Mayrina’s “24 Oras” report, the health workers said they would review data from the vaccines’ trials before deciding whether they should get one.

“Hindi naman matter sa’kin ang brand name. It’s more of kung ano ‘yung nagagawa ng vaccine for the person. So kung Sinovac, I would look into it, kung ano ‘yung mga data na available,” Dr. Shanice Esguerra said.

“I would prefer ‘yung brand na safe, effective kasi siyempre as a doctor, our decision-making is more of evidence-based,” Dr. Sam Peralta added.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque earlier sparked controversy when he said that Filipinos could not afford to be “choosy” on a COVID-19 vaccine since there is a long list of people who need to be inoculated.

Several senators later criticized Roque over the “petty” statement.

“It’s not about being choosy. It’s about thinking about your safety, lalo na po kami. Kung ang healthcare providers po, magkaroon ng masamang effect sa kanila ‘yung vaccine na ibibigay ng government, ang maaapektuhan din po is ‘yung general public,” nurse Mark Abolencia said.

The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, meanwhile, said it was unrealistic under the current situation for Filipinos to expect that they could choose any COVID-19 vaccine they want.

“Maraming demand, maliit ang supply. So habang maliit pa ang kumot, sabi natin, matuto tayo bumaluktot. Hindi kasi ‘yan available na kapag gusto mo, makukuha mo,” Dr. Lulu Bravo said.

The following vaccines are expected to be rolled out in the country this year:

•    AstraZeneca (Up to 90% efficacy, depending on dosage)
•    Sputnik V (91.40% efficacy)
•    Moderna (94.5% efficacy)
•    Novavax
•    Pfizer-BioNTech (95% efficacy)
•    Sinopharm (79.34% efficacy)
•    Sinovac (Less than 60% efficacy in Brazil trial, 91.% efficacy in Turkey)

Senator Sonny Angara earlier said the Moderna (P3,904 to P,4504) and Sinovac (P3,629.5) vaccines were the most expensive, while AstraZeneca (P610) and Novavax (P366) were the cheapest.

The Philippines has so far secured 30 million doses from India’s Serum Institute, 25 million from Sinovac, and 2.6 million from AstraZeneca. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News