Gov't urged to fast-track procurement of vaccines OK for health workers

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday called on the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 to stick to the prioritization list for vaccination by speeding up the procurement of the vaccines effective for health workers and other high-risk groups.

This, after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that Sinovac, which is among the vaccines expected to arrive first in the country, are not recommended for health workers.

In a statement, Hontiveros expressed concern that rearranging the priority list for vaccination might compromise the vaccine rollout.

"Hanggang ngayon, wala pa rin sagot kung nasaan na ang bakunang dapat at angkop para sa ating health workers. Sa mga may EUA (emergency use authorization), alin doon ang the best para sa kanila? Ito dapat ang inuuna at minamadaling bilhin para sa kanila," she said.

"Hindi pwedeng maghihintay na lang sila at panay mock vaccine drill at nakikipagpatintero sa mga kaso ng COVID-19 na kanilang kinakaharap araw-araw. Our health workers also have loved ones who they'd like to go home to safely," she added.

The FDA on Monday granted emergency use authorization for Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine, after Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/776881/fda-oks-emergency-use-authorization-for-sinovac-covid-19-vaccines/story/

FDA director general Dr. Eric Domingo said Sinovac’s efficacy ranged from 65.3% to 91.2%, but only reached 50.4% among health workers with COVID-19 exposure.

This makes it not recommended for health workers, he added.

“This should be administered by vaccination providers and to prevent COVID-19 in clinically healthy individuals aged 18 to 59 years old,” he also said.

Despite this, Hontiveros said the government should remain faithful to the priority list.

"Magkakagulo lang. Baka mahuli na naman ang health workers. Late na nga ang allowance ng frontliners, late pa yung bakuna. Wala ba tayong utang na loob sa healthcare workers natin?” she said.

“Ang Sinovac ay recommended para sa 18-59 years old lamang. Because of these limits, all the more that the NTF should secure the purchase of sufficient quantities of other brands of vaccines, especially when the health of our elderly is suffering the most. We need a vaccine that will protect them as soon as possible,” she added.

Hontiveros also called on the NTF to immediately update the public on the status of the negotiation with all vaccine manufacturers as she emphasized the service being rendered by healthcare workers.

"After all they’ve done for us, the least we can do is make the health of our health workers a priority. Our healthcare system will completely collapse without their service and dedication," she said.

"Let’s ease their anxiety by making sure they can go home safely to their families soon. We cannot abandon them by dilly-dallying,” she added. --Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News