The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) cited on Friday, Dec. 17, the importance of the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial Vaccines (STV), which is now being rolled out in eight study sites in Metro Manila.

DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said as early as last year, they started reaching out to the country’s international partners to explore partnership opportunities that will allow the Philippines to conduct vaccine clinical trials in the country.

“By joining in this global action led by WHO, we can generate safety and efficacy data of the vaccine candidates directly attributed to the Filipino people and work with multiple countries for collective problem-solving,” she said during the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial Vaccines (STV) Public Announcement on Friday, Dec. 17.

She said the WHO STV, which is separate from the government’s ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination program aims to look at the efficacy and safety of candidate vaccines.

Serving as lead investigators of the trial are Dr. Jodor A. Lim and Dr. Marissa M. Alejandria from the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila-Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Around 15,000 to 20,000 eligible, "healthy" participants who are 16 years old and above are targeted to participate in the STV.

The Philippines' participation in the vaccine clinical trials remains of utmost importance, especially as the current global vaccine supply is still limited, Guevara explained.

“Participation in this trial will also help us generate the study vaccines’ efficacy against the newly emerging variants.”

She said in preparation for the WHO STV, they worked closely with various agencies from the local up to the national level to prepare the trial sites, and train healthcare workers or volunteers.

The DOST official assured the public that the conduct of the trial will adhere to the highest ethical and scientific standards.

“Before they are even approved for implementation in the country, clinical trials like the WHO-STV undergo a rigorous review process by the FDA and its partner evaluators.”

Guevara said through the country’s participation in the WHO STV, “we aim to contribute to the global pandemic response with science at the forefront of our initiatives.”

"Our actions must match and contribute to the global solution aimed at ending this pandemic. As we recognize that no one is safe until everyone is safe, we enjoin everyone to support our scientific initiatives that will help alleviate the burden brought by COVID-19, and ultimately help every country, including the Philippines, put an end to this health crisis.”

During the official launch of the WHO Solidarity Trial Vaccines, she drummed up public support and cooperation in ensuring smooth clinical research operations, in order to find safe and effective vaccines for everyone.

“In partnership with our local government units, rest assured that we at the Task Group on Vaccine Evaluation and Selection will actively assist and oversee the participation in such vaccine trials.”