The clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals of Belgium may begin in the country this week.
The vaccine developed by Janssen is among three products given a go signal to conduct trials in the country.
This is part of the third phase of trials where thousands of Filipinos will be included to test its effectiveness.
“’Yun namang iba pa katulad ng Sinovac at Clover ay either February or March (The others such as Sinovac and Clover may conduct either on February or March),” , Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña disclosed.
The trial will be conducted for a month in sites with a high number of COVID-19 cases two weeks before the actual trial.No further details were announced with respect to Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA).
“Makakatulong pareho sa kanila na vaccine developers dahil makakadagdag ito sa kanilang data sa efficacy, at sa atin dahil malalaman natin kung anong epekto sa Pilipino o sa ating ethnic group (The trials will help vaccine developers in their data on efficacy and for us to determine the vaccine’s effect on Filipinos or our ethnic group),” de la Peῆa shared.
In case of adverse events, the vaccine developer will be held responsible. Clinical trials are different from vaccine rollout. Rollout requires either an emergency use approval (EUA) or “approval to commercialize the vaccine”.
However, those that have been inoculated with the vaccine during the trial will no longer be vaccinated in the rollout. – Report from Mark Fetalco
