FDA not pressured to grant EUA over China’s donated vaccines —Domingo

The donation of 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines doses from China will not push the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give emergency use authorization (EUA) to Chinese brands, the agency chief said.

At the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said the donation has nothing to do with the issuance of the EUA.

“Hindi po. Hindi po kasi related 'yung donation at saka 'yung EUA,” Domingo said.

On Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced that China is planning to donate 500,000 doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines to the Philippines.

Citing a provision under the Bayanihan Act, Domingo said the Department of Health can still accept the donation even if the EUA has not been granted yet.

Chinese manufacturer Sinovac has already applied to the FDA for an EUA for its COVID-19 vaccine.

Domingo denied that the FDA is giving Sinovac preferential treatment.

“Sa amin po, wala. We don't even start officially our evaluation until the clinical trials Phase 3 results are received,” he said.

“'Yung sa Sinovac, hindi pa po nila na-submit 'yung kanilang Phase 3 trial results, so hindi pa po nag-uumpisa officially 'yung kanilang evaluation,” he added.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. however earlier said the EUA for Sinovac will be granted before February 20. 

The Philippines has secured some 25 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine, with the initial batch expected by February, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said.

“Kung sakali naman po na meron nang bakuna pero hindi pa po lumalabas ang EUA ay hindi pa maaaring gamitin. Kailangang pong hintayin ang EUA,” Domingo added. —KG, GMA News