For a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, there is no need for the Sinovac vaccines to be subjected to further appraisal by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).
"You don't need the HTAC to go over this for the vaccine to be given. I agree the rollout should continue. That's my position," Dr. Ernesto Domingo said during the Malacanang press briefing on Tuesday, March 2.
"The science of the vaccine...has been well worked up. It's all there. We know what it's supposed to do, what it can do, what you have to be aware of and so on and so forth. And there are many international bodies including WHO ... that say, 'yes we can use it' under the following condition," he added.
"Now, it comes to our place and our own FDA said, 'yes you can use it.' I don't see any reason why it should be subjected to HTAC discussion," said Domingo.
To further stress his point, he cited this as an example.
"Supposing there is a new drug for cancer of the liver that is superior to the drug you have been using and it has already passed the required scientific rigor of research. Then you introduce it to a country and say this is going to be available in your country. Their local FDA looks over the details and says "yes, you can market it.' Why are you going to subject it to HTAC? For what other reason? For what further benefit?" Domingo said.
"So, I think that's the same kind of reasoning I'm proposing why I don't think we should submit this vaccine from China to HTAC discussion," he added.
On Monday, March 1, the government conducted the kickoff of the vaccination drive in the country following the arrival of the donated coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines from China.
A day before the arrival of the vaccines, an association of physicians said Sinovac should undergo appraisal by the HTAC to facilitate individual informed decision-making before it is administered to healthcare workers.