DOH: 5 sites assigned for Janssen’s COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial

The Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) has assigned five sites where the clinical trial of the possible COVID-19 vaccine from Janssen will be conducted, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the VEP will identify these sites in the next few days.

“Wala pa hong binibigay 'yung Vaccine Expert Panel natin na assignment ng mga sasali dito sa trial na 'to. But at the sites, meron na ho silang nabanggit,” Vergeire said.

“Meron na 'ho tayong lima na assigned sites for this Janssen. Ito po ay ibibigay nila in the coming days,” she added.

On December 29, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Phase 3 clinical trial application of Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in the country.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo said Janssen’s clinical trials in the Philippines will be beneficial to Filipinos in terms of speeding up regulatory approval if the vaccine turns out to be effective.

The applications of other vaccines from Sinovac, Gamaleya, and Clover to conduct clinical trials in the country are still being processed, according to Vergeire. —KG, GMA News