A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on current developments on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines in the Philippines has been released by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
As the chairman of the Sub-Technical Working Group on Vaccine Development, the DOST led the initiative, in cooperation with the DOST Vaccine Expert Panel and the DOST–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).
DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena said the program is part of the Department’s efforts to provide the public and relevant government offices and institutions with reliable and up-to-date information on the progress of COVID-19 vaccine development in the country.
The FAQs list answers questions on how vaccines work to prevent diseases; their development including the purpose of and how pre-clinical and clinical trials will be conducted in the Philippines; the risks and benefits of participating in the trial; measures being conducted to ensure the efficacy and safety of the vaccine; and the general process for conducting clinical trials.
Other questions are focused on the Philippine government’s initiatives to ensure availability and access of the country to successful COVID-19 vaccines. The FAQs also highlights the long-term plans of the government to ensure vaccine self-sufficiency in the country.
The FAQs can be accessed through: http://bit.ly/COVID-19-DOST-FAQs or in the PCHRD website at http://bit.ly/PCHRD-COVID-19-FAQs.