Hontiveros: No need to eliminate Chinese firms’ COVID-19 vaccines from Pinoys’ choices if OK’d by FDA

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said it is not necessary to eliminate COVID-19 vaccines developed by Chinese firms as long as these secure approval from the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Kung aprubahan ng FDA then include it in the platforms here in the Philippines kasi walang kaso sa akin saang bansa galing o sinong manufacturer basta't pumasa sa seal of approval o natanggap 'yun mula sa FDA," Hontiveros said in an online interview.

"Government should think twice kung may mga attempts na mag-fastbreak or shortcut or idaan sa pagiging BFFs kuno o pagkakaroon ng special relationship," she added.

The opposition senator underscored that the more COVID-19 vaccine options in the country, the better.

"Ang essential lang, hindi pwedeng baliin na ang bawat isa sa multiple vaccine platforms natin ay aprubado ng FDA... No need to knock out one or two candidates right now," she said.

During the Senate Committee of the Whole hearings, the alleged preference of the government for Sinovac's vaccines surfaced but was later on cleared after vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. was ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to disclose the details of the ongoing vaccine deals to select senators.

'Vaccine diplomacy'

Nonetheless, Hontiveros advised the Department of National Defense not to let its guard down in the West Philippine Sea because of the so-called "vaccine diplomacy" of China.

"We must not allow China to shake our hand on vaccine procurement, but stab us in the back on the West Philippine Sea," she said.

So far, Chinese firm Sinovac is one of the vaccine makers that applied for emergency use authorization of COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier announced that the government has inked a term sheet with Sinovac for 25 million doses of its vaccine against the novel disease. It is not yet a done deal as a supply agreement has yet to be signed.

The other Chinese vaccine maker Sinopharm has yet to apply for EUA in the Philippines, according to the FDA.

Galvez said the government targets to complete all the vaccine supply deals with different manufacturers before January ends or in the first week of February. — RSJ, GMA News