The vaccine experts panel (VEP) is currently studying the possible use of the Sinovac-developed CoronaVac on senior citizens.
China, Indonesia, and Turkey have already approved the use of CoronaVac on senior citizens. In the Philippines, the vaccine under emergency use approval can only be administered to healthy individuals 18 to 59 years old.
“We in the VEP already made our recommendation. We just finished the recommendation the other day. Finorward na namin sa (We forwarded it to the) Department of Health (DOH) regarding the use of Sinovac vaccine for 60 years old and above,” VEP member Dr. Rontgene Solante said in an online forum today.
The VEP has not yet disclosed its recommendation pending the study conducted by the DOH. It is, however, planning to recommend shortening the period that a recovered COVID-19 patient can get vaccinated from 90 days to two weeks.
Solante said the vaccine can be administered when the body “is not in that particular stress” or when there is no longer an infection.
“May virus man sa katawan mo [There may be the virus in your body], but it’s not giving you stress sa katawan [in the body] because you don’t have the symptoms,” he explained.
“Yes, it’s safe. [The] vaccine will work as long as you don’t have the symptoms,” he added.
Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-jlo
