The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday (April 19) announced the approval of the emergency use authorization (EUA) applications of Bharat Biotech and Johnson & Johnson for their Covid-19 vaccines.
Indian Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran welcomed the decision to allow the use of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin from India, saying it is “another decisive step in the long battle together against Covid-19.”
As of April 20, vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Gamaleya Institute, Sinovac Biotech, Bharat Biotech, and Johnson & Johnson have been allowed for emergency use in the country.
“The DOH will be coming up with guidelines for each vaccine, but probably magkakaroon ng similarity sa same technology vaccines [there will be a similarity in the guidelines for vaccines that use the same technology],” FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said in the Laging Handa briefing.
Domingo also explained the decision to allow the use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine amid reported incidents of blood clotting, saying the benefits still outweigh the risks.
The FDA has already coordinated with the Department of Health (DOH) for the formulation of comprehensive guidelines for the rollout of these vaccines.
Meanwhile, the National Adverse Events Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC) reminded the public to comply with health protocols before their inoculation.
“If they do that, then they avoid the illness when they get their vaccine, they’re not sick,” Dr. Eileen Alikpala Cuajunco of the NAEFIC said.
“Number two, if they are on hypertensive [medication], knowing that it can increase your blood pressure, continue taking your hypertensive, don’t take any coffee on the day of the vaccine as recommended by the Philippine Heart Association,” she added. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-jlo
