Gov't to craft new guidance on AstraZeneca this week, says FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Sunday said that it will craft new guidance on injecting AstraZeneca vaccine, days after the administration of the doses was suspended for people aged under 60 due to reports of rare blood clots with low platelet counts in some recipients abroad.

"Definitely by this week, gagawan na natin ng bagong guidance niyan" (Definitely this week, we will craft new guidance on AstraZeneca's use), FDA Director General Eric Domingo said over "Dobol B TV."

He added that the FDA is preparing for new delivery from AstraZeneca.

Likewise, Domingo said that the second dose of the British-Swedish vaccine will be rolled out after eight to 12 weeks, adding that the first dose was given not more than four weeks.

Domingo pointed out that the AstraZeneca vaccine distribution will not totally stop, noting that suspending its inoculation is timely as new guidelines will be crafted for vaccinators while deliveries are pending.

"Tamang tama na di pa dumadating ang order, para at least alam ng mga vaccinator kung ano ang dapat bantayan" (It is good that the vaccines have not arrived yet so that vaccinators will know what to look out for), Domingo said.

The Department of Health did not detect any side effects such as blood clots and low platelets among those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine in the country.

Countries such as the Netherlands, South Korea, and Australia also halted the use from the British-Swedish vaccine due to reported blood clot incidents. 

In the Philippines, AstraZeneca may still be used for senior citizens, but supplies have run out. —LBG, GMA News