The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Tuesday (Sept. 7) assured its continuous preparation for the World Health Organization (WHO) solidarity vaccine trials to be conducted in the Philippines.
DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said, in today’s Laging Handa public briefing, among the preparations for the trials are pilot hospital sites, trial teams, and supplies needed for the study.
“Patuloy po ang ating paghahanda para sa WHO solidarity trial for vaccines. Ang pilot hospital sites, ang trial teams at mga supplies na kinakailangan para sa trial ay handa na po.”
She said that they are only waiting for the formal announcement from WHO for the global and local launching of the trials.
“Nag-aantay na lang po tayo ng pormal na anunsiyo na manggagaling sa WHO para sa global at local launching para sa nasabing pag-aaral.”
According to Guevara, the trial aims to know the efficacy of the vaccines against COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC) present in the country. She bared that individuals aged 16 and above are part of the trials’ target population.
“Hinihikayat po natin ang ating mga kababayan na kung kasali po iyong kanilang LGU dito sa WHO Solidarity Vaccine Trials at kung hindi pa po sila nababakunahan ay sana po sumali sila sa ating WHO Solidarity Vaccine Trial. Natamo na rin po natin ang karampatang approval ng FDA at saka ng Ethics Review Board para mag-umpisa po tayo nitong trials,” she added.
Report from Mark Fetalco/NGS-rir
