Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Eric Domingo on Wednesday (May 12) said that the emergency use authorization (EUA) for Sinopharm may be granted soon since the World Health Organization (WHO) has already issued its EUA.
“Oo, very possible na within the month mailabas natin [ang EUA],” he said in a Zoom meeting with PTV.
He added that the Department of Health will be applying for an EUA this week.
Meanwhile, when asked about whether the vaccines present in the Philippines can fight against the new Indian variant, the FDA chief answered that the vaccines were developed “using the original variant of the coronavirus,” therefore, it is most effective on the original variant.
“Kapag nagkakaroon ng mga new variant, may possibility na mababawasan ng konti itong efficacy ng isang bakuna, pero hindi naman nagiging zero. At this time, karamihan ng ating bakuna ay may ongoing trials na to check ‘yung effect nila sa mga lumalabas na variants at nakikita naman na effective pa rin siya.”
In relation to this, Domingo reiterated the need to take precautions even after being vaccinated.
“‘Pag tayo ay nabakunahan, protektado na tayo, pero mag-ingat pa rin po tayo. Kasi hanggang hindi tayo nagkakaroon ng herd immunity na halos wala na itong virus na ito sa bansa, talagang kailangan natin ng protection aside from the vaccines.”
-PG/jlo
