Pfizer, Moderna have no plans for COVID-19 trials in PH- Vergeire | ABS-CBN

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Pfizer, Moderna have no plans for COVID-19 trials in PH- Vergeire

Pfizer, Moderna have no plans for COVID-19 trials in PH- Vergeire

Kristine Sabillo,

ABS-CBN News

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Video from DOH

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said that two of the COVID-19 vaccine frontrunners are not interested in conducting clinical trials in the Philippines but are open to distribution here.

“Pfizer and Moderna, they do not intend to have clinical trials here in the country,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a virtual briefing.

Recent reports said that the vaccine being developed by Pfizer was 90% effective in protecting people from COVID-19. Meanwhile, Moderna’s vaccine was at 95% effectivity.

The DOH previously said both American companies were still interested in vaccine procurement for the Philippines.

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Vergeire explained that running clinical trials in the country would have been ideal “so we can see the effect of these vaccines among our population.”

She said that it might have different effects on different races. While the Philippines was not included in both developers’ clinical trials, manufacturers usually test a diverse set of participants.

Back in August, Vergeire said during a briefing that Moderna plans to involve Filipino-Americans in its Phase 3 or large-scale clinical trials.

The health official said the decision of Moderna and Pfizer to not conduct clinical trials in the country would not affect procurement negotiations.

“As long as they will go through the regulatory process at makikita natin ang epekto ng Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3; ma-evaluate ng ating experts at maaprubahan ng ating Food and Drug Administration and then we can readily procure this set of vaccines,” she said.

(As long as they will go through the regulatory process and we see the effects of Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, it’s evaluated by experts and approved by the Food and Drug Administration and then we can readily procure this set of vaccines.)

Before being approved for distribution in the Philippines, a vaccine must first be studied by the country’s expert panel. This involves studying the results of the clinical trials. It will then go through an ethics review and then the approval process of the FDA.

SINOVAC

Reports also showed that Chinese company Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine has triggered quick immune response in tests.

Among the vaccine developers applying for clinical trials in the Philippines, Sinovac’s application has already reached the FDA.

“They are just completing some documentary requirements for our ethics review board and FDA has initially started evaluating them,” Vergeire said.

She said once the vaccine is approved by the ethics review board, the FDA will continue evaluating it.

“Hopefully we can start (clinical trials) at once with Sinovac,” Vergeire said.

RUSSIA

Recently, UK market research firm YouGov released results of its survey showing that majority of respondents in various countries including the Philippines were ready to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund, which funded the development of Russia's Sputnik vaccine, released the October poll results which show that Philippine respondents are among those with the highest awareness (55%) when it comes to the Sputnik vaccine.

Asked about the survey, Vergeire simply said that the confidence level on a vaccine would still depend on the government’s evaluation and regulatory process. She said Filipinos should trust the government process in ensuring the safety of all vaccines that will be allowed to be used in the country.

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Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates

Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA – Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the public to be wary in voting for “pro-China” candidates in this year’s elections, saying these candidates would rather push for the Beijing's interests if elected into office. 

Carpio, without naming persons, said that these candidates have China’s financial backing. 

China, he said, might also be fueling disinformation online to further divide the public. 

“This election is not purely about internal politics, about internal matters, because there is a country that wants to grab our maritime zones and island territories. So, we should be careful not to vote for Manchurian candidates, candidates who will do China's bidding,” Carpio said in a statement released by Stratbase ADR Institute. 

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“They can come out with their own social media campaign,” the former SC magistrate said. 

“As we have seen in the past, recent past, that there have been candidates, who, when they won, were favoring China against our national interest,” he added

Carpio also said the West Philippine Sea could be at stake if pro-China candidates would win in this year’s polls. 

“Those who are pro-China, they [China] can give campaign funds to. That's usually what other countries do if they want to destabilize a certain state. I expect China to do that... Once elected, they will say, the Philippines has no right to name the West Philippine Sea as West Philippine Sea,” according to Carpio. 

For his part, Dindo Manhit, president of the Stratbase ADR Institute, cautioned voters from patronizing candidates who downplay the 2016 The Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea. 

“Upholding our arbitral victory is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental duty of any leader who claims to serve the nation. Ignoring it means turning a blind eye to our territorial integrity,” said Manhit. 

“Vote for leaders who are patriotic and will fight for the Philippines. A true leader must stand firm in defending what is rightfully ours and not succumb to foreign pressure. The West Philippine Sea is a vital part of our national identity, economy, and security,” he said. 

Sought for comment on the issue, the Chinese Embassy said Philippine elections are an internal matter. 

Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in kicking off the campaign season, had brought up the West Philippine Sea to differentiate the administration slate from other candidates.

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