Philippines approves emergency use of Hayat-Vax COVID-19 vaccine

The Philippines has issued an emergency use authorization for the Hayat-Vax vaccine against COVID-19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Wednesday.

“The FDA issued today an EUA for the vaccines donated by UAE (United Arab Emirates),” FDA Director General Eric Domingo told GMA News Online in a text message.

Domingo said the vaccine was approved for use on individuals aged 18 and above.

The FDA chief added that Hayat-Vax is “identical” to the Chinese-made Sinopharm jab.

“Sinopharm din ang manufacturer, ang packaging lang sa UAE ang pangalan [ay] Hayat-Vax,” he explained.

According to a Reuters report, Hayat-Vax is the product of a joint venture between Sinopharm and the Abu Dhabi-based company Group 42

The UAE said the vaccine showed 86% efficacy in its trials.

Over 11.3 million individuals in the Philippines have been fully vaccinated as of August 8. 

COVID-19 vaccine brands currently in use include Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik V, and Johnson & Johnson.

Earlier on Wednesday, the country also welcomed 100,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from the UAE.  — RSJ, GMA News