A total of 7,083 participants of the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trials Vaccines (STV) in the country have already received their first dose jabs of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reported.
In a taped report, DOST Secretary Fortunato "Boy" de la Peña said that as of Feb. 21, at least 6,417 participants have completed the two-dose schedule of the vaccine.
De la Peña added that eight hospitals and two community-based sites have already conducted the recruitment activities.
Included in the list of trial sites were Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Makati Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Medical Center Manila, Baguio General Hospital, and San Juan De Dios Hospital, as well as two community-based centers in Sampaloc, Manila and Crame Quezon City.
"According to the STV team, the Philippines has already reached the primary outcome of the trial wherein 133 participants tested positive for Covid-19 after completing the two-dose schedule of the first study vaccine," he noted.
According to DOST, the Philippines, Mali, and Colombia have reached the target number of primary endpoints and are currently validating and analyzing the initial data while awaiting instructions from the WHO regarding the administration of the second study vaccine.
The Solidarity Trials for Vaccines was organized by the WHO and recruited its first volunteer on Sept. 30.