The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH) should explain to the public why it has reversed its decision and is now allowing the use of Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine, CoronaVac, on senior citizens.
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday, April 8, noted that the FDA initially did not recommend Sinovac jabs be given to 60 years old and up and persons below 18 years old.
“Every time the FDA makes a pronouncement then amends it, it adds more anxiety to a public that already has high vaccine distrust,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“FDA as our main regulator for food, drugs and vaccines must always communicate any updates on the science clearly, especially on something as important as which vaccines to use for highly vulnerable groups like senior citizens,” she said.
Hontiveros said she believes it is now necessary for the FDA, the DOH, and the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to launch a massive information campaign to explain to the public why they are now recommending Sinovac for use on the elderly.
“Kailangan nilang ipakita na scientifically-backed ang pagpalit ng kanilang desisyon para makumbinse ang mga senior na ligtas at mabisa talaga ang Sinovac para sa kanila (They need to show that their change of decision is scientifically-backed to convince seniors that Sinovac is actually safe and effective for them),” she said.
The senator further said the DOH must also provide free health profiling and executive check ups for senior citizens.
The information campaign and health check up, she said, will ensure that if a senior decides to be vaccinated, she or he is doing it with genuine full and informed consent.
“We need to take all necessary steps so that every shot of Sinovac is truly safely administered to each senior,” she stressed.
The FDA, on Wednesday, announced it is now allowing the use of Sinovac on senior citizens but subject to “stringent evaluation” of a person’s health and risks.
The decision comes after the government is confronted with limited available AstraZeneca vaccines and the sudden spike of COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan.