Janssen’s COVID-19 clinical trials in the Philippines to start this week — DOST chief

The clinical trials of Janssen’s COVID-19 vaccines in the country will start within this week, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said on Thursday.

At the Laging Handa briefing, Dela Peña said the trials will take a month or less.

“Mukhang mauuna ang Janssen at within this week ay mag-uumpisa na sila,” he said.

“Required na 'yung pagdadausan ng clinical trials—ito naman hindi magtatagal siguro mga isang buwan lang ‘yan or ever less—ay gagawin sa lugar na mataas ang incidence ng COVID-19,” he added.

These sites should have a high incidence of COVID-19 cases consistent for two weeks before the conduct of the clinical trials, according to Dela Peña.

A list of possible sites for the clinical trials has already been forwarded to the manufacturers. However, Dela Peña said he cannot divulge the areas due to a confidential disclosure agreement.

Concerned local government units were informed of the possible participation of their areas in the clinical trials for the potential COVID-19 vaccines, he said.

“Nagsagawa din ng tinatawag natin na town hall meetings doon sa mga lugar na napiling potential sites na pinangunahan ng aming department,” Dela Peña said.

Those who will receive the vaccines from trials will be deprived of getting inoculated again in the government's COVID-19 vaccination rollout. “Baka makasama,” he added.

Aside from Janssen, Dela Peña said potential COVID-19 vaccine products from Sinovac and Clover are also set to conduct clinical trials in the country either this February or March. — RSJ, GMA News