Filtered By: Topstories
News
DOST EXEC SAYS

Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines possibly Philippines' first


COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna could be the first ones to be made available in the country if negotiations prosper, an official of the Department of Science and Techology said Thursday.

In a public briefing, DOST–Philippine Council for Health Research Development executive director Jaime Montoya said the possibility of making available the vaccines from the two firms was based on their application for "emergency use authorization (EUA)."

“If they are going to pursue their application for the EUA in the Philippines, malamang sila ang mauuna na maging available,” Montoya said.

“That means, kung na-approve siya ng Food and Drug Administration  natin, puwede na siyang maging available sa ating bansa,” he added.

Considering the negotiation process, these vaccines will be available by the second quarter of 2021 if the EUA will be issued to them on the same period, he added.

The availability of the vaccines could be earlier depending on the efforts of the negotiating teams, he noted.

Montoya said that only these two vaccine products already have the approval of a stringent regulatory authority, in this case, the US government.

Earlier, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said that government is targeting to secure a deal with various manufacturers by the end of 2020 and early January in 2021. —LBG, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT