FDA expects to issue AstraZeneca vaccine use guidelines this week

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to issue new guidelines in administering AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine this week, FDA Chief Eric Domingo said Wednesday.

Domingo made the announcement six days after the FDA and the Department of Health ordered suspension of administering AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the country to those aged 59 years old and below in light of the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) findings of a very rare side blood clot as a side effect in 79 cases out of 20 million administered AstraZeneca jab.

“Tinatapos na po natin ngayon para mailabas natin this week" (We are finishing the new guidelines today so we can release it this week), Domingo said.

Nagbigay na po ng information ang WHO, Vaccine Experts Panel and National Adverse Events Following Immunization Committee, sinasabi naman ng lahat na talagang the benefit outweighs the risk,” (All of these agencies say AstraZeneca vaccine benefits outweigh the risks), he added.

Also, Domingo said: “We will be releasing guidelines for those who will be giving the vaccine, so they can properly advise those who will be getting the vaccine in terms of what symptoms to watch out for, so they would know when do they need to consult for this very rare possibility of a blood clotting event.”

Based on FDA evaluation, AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is good for 18 years old and above and has an efficacy rate of 70% after the first dose—a rating that increases after the second dose is administered four to 12 weeks after.

Two days ago, Secretary Fortunato dela Peña  of the Department of Science and Technology vouched for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

“Ibabalita ko na nabakunahan na ako, at napakaganda ng aking experience”(I have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and I had a very good experience), Dela Peña said.

At least 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to the country—all of which were donated by the global initiative COVAX facility.

Presently, the Philippines has 165,534 active COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 8,571 new cases were recorded on April 13 alone. —LBG, GMA News