The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, June 7, welcomed China’s approval on the emergency use of Sinovac’s vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for children.
Last week, China has authorized the emergency use of Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccines, CoronaVac, for persons aged three to 17.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said health experts in the country would study the data from Sinovac once it completes its trial and submit the revisions of their emergency use authorization (EUA).
“Magandang balita ‘yan, kung talagang makikita natin na 'yun talagang pag-aaral ay may accuracy at saka makikita natin na 'yung basis nila at 'yung ebidensya nila ay maganda, maganda itong balita hindi lang para sa Pilipinas kung hindi para sa buong mundo (That's good news, if we can see that the study is really accurate and that their evidence is good, this is good news not only for the Philippines but for the whole world),” Vergeire said.
In a press briefing, the health official said the DOH is open for such development as this would further expand the country’s inoculation drive.
“Tayo ay laging bukas sa mga ganitong makabago at saka innovative na ginagawa para maexpand natin ang coverage ng ating pagbabakuna (We are always open to such developments and innovations so that we can expand our vaccination coverage),” she said.
“Pagka nabuo na nila ang kanilang mga ebidensya at nakumpleto na nila 'yung trial at nagsumite sila dito sa Pilipinas ng revision ng kanilang emergency use authority, pag-aaralan po 'yan ng ating mga eksperto (Once they have compiled their evidence and completed the trial and submitted here in the Philippines a revision of their emergency use authority, our experts will study that),” she added.
On June 6, the Philippines received one million more doses of CoronaVac vaccines, which were procured by the national government from Sinovac Biotech.