The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said the studies on the possible mix-and-match of COVID-19 vaccine brands are expected to start by June or July.
In a Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday (May 25), DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra said that they are only waiting for the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before conducting the studies.
“So ang ating expected ay mag-uumpisa tayo siguro sa mga end of June or sa July kasi ngayon, kailangan munang pumasa ng ating protocols sa Food and Drug Administration para magkaroon ng permit to conduct the clinical trial at kailangan din po silang makapasa sa ating tinatawag na Ethics Review Board para pwede na po silang magsimula ng kanilang study.”
DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said that the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) approved the separate studies on the matter that will be conducted by the Philippine Society for Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (PSAAI) and the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM).
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“Ang Department of Health (DOH) at ang DOST ay nag-agree na mag-conduct ng clinical trial na tinatawag na mix and match. Dalawang klase po ito: Iyong isa po, iyong first brand mo sa first dose ay iba doon sa second dose brand mo, so iyon ‘yung una. Iyong pangalawa naman, nabigyan ka kunyari ng first at second dose ng parehong brand, titingnan kung puwede bang magkaroon ka ng booster na ibang brand,” she explained.
She added that the trials will take 18 months with participants from Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. However, initial results will be issued three months into the study to advise the National Task Force on Vaccine regarding the matter. The vaccines to be used in the studies are the ones available in the country.
“Ngayon, wala pang study na nagsasabi na yung bakuna mo, pwede yan for one year, or 6 months, di pa natin alam, so ang gagawin natin, ‘yung mga magiging participants dito, oobserbahan sila for 18 months, so titingnan kung at what point in time, bababa yung kanilang protection, so that would be the time na baka kailangan ng booster,” dela Peña said.
Report from Mark Fetalco/NGS-rir
