Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24) — The Department of Health said it is continuously looking for potential COVID-19 vaccine to maximize the country’s opportunity in ensuring supply once it is available.
DOH Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Friday that even with the current collaborations that the government has, they are still continuously looking for other vaccine candidates “to maximize opportunities in securing a potential vaccine.”
The coronavirus response task force recently approved the country’s participation in the Gavi COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility. Vergeire said the approval gives the Philippines an opportunity to ensure that there will be supply of vaccine in the future once it is available.
Meanwhile, the country is also preparing for its participation in the World Health Organization Solidarity Trail while awaiting for the protocols to be issued by the United Nations agency. This program will involve several vaccines being developed worldwide for evaluation through clinical trials.
Vergeire also said that they are keeping an eye on ongoing vaccine development across the world, adding that there are still some undergoing evaluation regarding its safety and efficacy through Phase 1 or 2 clinical trials.
Moreover, the Department of Science and Technology is continuously communicating with partners especially those recommended by the task force, the official said.
This include SINOVAC Biotech Limited, SINOPHARM Corporation, Chinese Academy of Science-Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Adimmune Corporation, and Academia Sinica, majority of which are China-based.
