Philippines
National
No adverse events recorded in 687 participants of WHO Solidarity Vaccine Trial piloted in Metro Manila hospitals
No adverse events recorded in 687 participants of WHO Solidarity Vaccine Trial piloted in Metro Manila hospitals
No adverse effects have been observed in the participants of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Solidarity Vaccines Trial (SVT) that was piloted in three hospitals in Metro Manila, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Sunday, Oct. 31.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said a total of 687 individuals have received their first dose of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines as they volunteered to be part of the Solidarity Trials for Vaccines organized by the WHO.
“Wala naman po, wala naman sinasabi sa amin (No adverse events have been recorded so far, the team has not reported any adverse events following immunization),” he said in an interview over DZBB.
He said the three sites that have already recruited and administered the first dose of the study vaccine were Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Lung Center of the Philippines, and the Makati Medical Center (MMC).
The breakdown of the volunteers who received the vaccines is as follows: PGH, 438; LCP, 159, and MMC, 90.
During his weekly report on Friday, Oct. 29, de la Peña said the Solidarity Trials for Vaccines organized by the WHO recruited its first volunteer on Sept. 30.
"Other trial sites will also be involved. They will be receiving the full two-dose regimen and will be followed up by researchers,” the DOST chief said.
He noted that the Philippines is one of three countries in the world where the Solidarity Trial for Vaccines was launched.
The two other participating countries are Columbia and Mali.
“The Philippines is committed to be one of the initial countries participating in the Solidarity Trial for Vaccines,” de la Peña said.
He said a number of new vaccines using innovative platforms will be included in the trial.