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FDA OKs China's Sinovac vaccine for senior citizens

By SAAB LARIOSA Published Apr 07, 2021 7:57 pm

The Food and Drug Administration has officially approved the use of the CoronaVac vaccine for senior citizens. 

The move comes after the recommendation of the Vaccine Experts Panel (VEP) amid the dwindling supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine among LGUs and the need to expedite the government's vaccination program.

“We confirm that the Vaccine Expert Panel has recommended the use of Sinovac vaccine for the elderly/senior citizens,” Presidential Spox Harry Roque shared in a press statement this April 7.

“The VEP thoroughly discussed the matter amid the current vaccine supply in the country and we hope that this would respond or address the present demand of vaccines.”

Last February, the vaccine created by the Sinovac Biotech pharmaceutical company was given the green light only for “clinically healthy” Filipinos between the ages of 18 to 59.

The SinoVac vaccine joins the British/Swedish-made AstraZeneca as the first two vaccines for senior citizens in the country. AstraZeneca previously logged in an 80% efficacy rate at preventing COVID-19 among the elderly.

"After considering the recommendations of the experts and the current situation of high COVID-19 transmission and limited available vaccines, the FDA is allowing the use of Sinovac on senior citizens,” FDA Director-General Eric Domingo had shared on the agency's decision.

"Vaccination should be preceded by an evaluation of the person’s health status and exposure risk to assure that benefits of vaccination outweigh risks."

 Photo from Mat Napo via Unsplash