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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sinopharm shots not yet returned; EUA awaited

Sinopharm shots not yet returned; EUA awaited

Published May 27, 2021 04:35 pm

Malacañang revealed that the Philippines has not yet returned the Sinopharm coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines to China, saying the country may just actually keep them with the expected issuance of its emergency use authorization (EUA).

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after President Duterte asked China to take back the Sinopharm shots it donated following the controversy that stemmed from his vaccination using the said brand.

In his Thursday press briefing, Roque said the country has not yet returned the vaccines to China.

"Hindi pa nare-return ang 1,000 pero tignan po natin ang susunod na pangyayari dahil talagang napakabilis naman po ng developments pagdating sa Sinopharm (We have not returned the 1,000 doses yet but let's see what happens next because developments with Sinopharm happen very quickly)," he said.

Roque, in particular, cited the swift inclusion of Sinopharm in the emergency use list (EUL) of the World Health Organization (WHO). He explained that this move made it easier for the Department of Health (DOH) to apply Sinopharm's EUA using data the company submitted to the WHO.

He likewise cited Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Eric Domingo who said it was a matter of time before they issue the EUA of Sinopharm.

With these developments, Roque said the Philippines may just actually keep the Sinopharm jabs instead of returning them to China.

"May possibility po na pag lumabas ang EUA, eh baka hindi na natin isauli (It is possible that when the EUA is issued, we may just keep the vaccines)," he said.

"Now that may WHO EUA list na, at baka possibly in the matter of days, lalabas na ang EUA, baka maging moot and academic na yung controversy (Now that there is the EUL, and possibly the EUA coming out in a matter of days, this issue may become moot and academic)," he added.

President Duterte was finally vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine on May 3. However, this triggered criticisms as Sinopharm only has a compassionate use authorization from the FDA.

In response to criticism, the President apologized to the public and requested China to pull out the said brand from the Philippines.

Related Tags

Harry Roque covid-19 SINOPHARM EUA Emergency Use Authorization vaccine
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