Iloilo Rep. Janette “Doc Nanay” Garin on Wednesday, February 24, called on the Food and Drug Administration to review its recommendation on the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine.
Garin, who served as health secretary during the Aquino administration, aired the appeal after the FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the China-made vaccine but warned that it should not be administered on senior citizens and medical frontliners owing to the high risk to COVID-19 infection they faces.
FDA, headed by Director General Eric Domingo, was apparently being cautious as the agency noted the low efficacy rating of the vaccine.
The FDA also recommended that Sinovac be administered only to individuals aged 18 to 59 years old.
The FDA recommendation was lauded by the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines headed by Quezon City Councilor Jorge Banal.
Banal noted that the agency is merely carrying out its mandate of protecting citizens from possible harm based on its scientific studies.
In a press conference conducted by the House minority bloc, Garin said a review of the decision has become vital as she stressed that “vaccination saves lives.”
She pointed out that efficacy should not be the sole basis in determining what is best for Filipinos.
Right now, the more important objective in the fight against COVID-19 is to reduce the number of deaths and infection, adding this can be achieved through vaccination.
According to Garin, Phase 1 and 2 of Sinovac trials have shown results among seniors that are at par with the 18-59 years old, but there is a possibility that the data has not been transmitted yet.
“This should have been clarified because the recent statements of DOH can be misinterpreted. What if other vaccines come late? We defeat the purpose of protecting the seniors where mortality is 10 percent,” said Garin.
Garin also emphasized that no severe adverse events were observed and showed no reduction in antibody responses in elderly adults.
The Iloilo lawmaker also lamented that the FDA advisory has countered efforts of government to address vaccination hesitancy among many Filipinos.
On Tuesday, Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate and Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron Salo reacted to the FDA recommendation.
"The FDA has already given the EUAs to Pfizer Biotech and Astrazenica way ahead. But, it seems Duque, Galvez, et. al. again dropped the ball by not working immediately on the indemnification fund required by the manufacturers, a requirement that certainly they knew very well since the other countries also complied with it,” said Zarate.
On the other hand, Salo welcomed FDA’s recommendation.
“I see wisdom in FDA’s recommendation not to administer Sinovac to senior citizens and health frontliners after undertaking a thorough review of the documents and clinical studies submitted by the manufacturer,” explained Salo, a member of the House Committee on Health.
A former official of the Department of Health, Salo stated: “As belonging to the most vulnerable population and because of the level of health risks they are exposed to, the vaccines to be given to our senior citizens and health frontlliners must not only be of proven quality and safety, but of high efficacy to ensure that they will be adequately protected."