Palace welcomes emergency use listing for Sinopharm

The Palace has welcomed the World Health Organization's move granting emergency use listing (EUL) status to Chinese firm Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine, saying it will expand the country's vaccine portfolio.

"We welcome the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of the World Health Organization for Sinopharm.  This development would strengthen our diversified vaccine portfolio as we continue to work on improving access to safe and effective vaccines, including Sinopharm," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

At least 7.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to the Philippines so far, of which around 2.7 million doses were donated by global initiative COVAX facility.

"With the arrival of the bulk of our vaccine orders in the coming months, we are confident that we would be able to speed up our coronavirus vaccination program," Roque said.

Duterte got his first dose of Sinopharm last May 3, four days before the WHO granted EUL to Sinopharm.

Roque justified such choice by saying it was recommended by the President's doctor and such administration is legal because it is covered by the compassionate special permit issued to Presidential Security Group (PSG) hospital by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A compassonate special permit, however, is not tantamout to an emergency use authority (EUA) which is a guarantee of safety and efficiency but a mere legal authority to administer the said vaccine or any drug in the country.

In light of WHO's approval, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he has already given instructions to file for an emergency use authorization for the donated China-made vaccines.

The FDA is yet to issue EUA on Sinopharm.

After getting flak for getting the Sinopharm jab, Duterte said he will return the 1,000 Sinopharm doses donated by China.

Roque is yet to provide details when these Sinopharm doses will be returned.

The COVID-19 vaccination program started last March 1, but less than five percent of the population has been given a COVID-19 vaccine so far due to tight supply.—AOL, GMA News