Philippine News Agency
Palace welcomes WHO approval of Sinopharm vax for emergency use
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to file an emergency use authorization (EUA) application with the Food and Drug Administration for Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine.
This action aims to prevent the return of donated Sinopharm vaccines, following the World Health Organization's (WHO) emergency approval for the vaccine.
The DOH is currently processing the application and awaiting pending documents, including a dossier on the vaccine.
The EUA application is also expected to facilitate anticipated deals with the vaccine firm and the Chinese government.
President Duterte had previously apologized for receiving an unregistered Sinopharm vaccine and asked China to retrieve the donated doses, although he maintained his vaccination was under a compassionate use permit.
The Chinese drugmaker Sinopharm has not yet obtained an EUA from the Philippine FDA, but reports suggest its vaccine has an efficacy rate of over 79% after two doses.
Despite previous statements by Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who expressed optimism and mentioned Sinopharm could expedite its EUA process, the DOH is now formally filing the application.
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