Palace backs Sinovac jabs for elderly

Malacañang is backing vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.'s proposal to administer Sinovac vaccine on people aged 60 and above even though it goes against the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“We are supportive [of Secretary Galvez’s suggestion]. Napakaraming bansa na po ang gumamit ng Sinovac sa senior citizens [a lot of countries are already using Sinovac vaccines on senior citizens),” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing on Thursday.

FDA, which granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Sinovac's vaccine CoronaVac, has recommended the vaccine for clinically healthy individuals aged 18 to 59 years old.

Roque said the FDA only needs additional data to change its previous recommendation.

“Steps will be taken [on this suggestion]. The local representative of Sinovac will present additional data to FDA para mabago iyong EUA,” he said.

The FDA granted EUA on Sinovac last February 23, but it did not recommend it for health workers since its efficacy rate only reached 50.4% in that group.

The Department of Health ultimately allowed administration of Sinovac on healthcare workers, arguing that such vaccine prevents moderate and severe COVID-19 symptoms at 78% and 100%, respectively. 

The Philippines officially started its COVID-19 vaccination program on March 1 using the Sinovac doses donated by the Chinese government. —KBK, GMA News