FDA approves Sinovac for seniors, vaccination starts April 12

Updated Thu, April 8, 2021 at 9:00 PM Published Wed, April 7, 2021 at 5:43 PM

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for senior citizens, with simultaneous vaccination set to begin on April 12.

This decision allows for logistical preparations and scheduling of recipients, with the Department of Health (DOH) set to issue implementing guidelines.

Despite initial insufficient efficacy data among the elderly, the DOH and FDA concluded that the benefits of using Sinovac's CoronaVac on seniors outweigh the risks, especially given high transmission rates and a shortage of other vaccine brands.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia described the decision as "very good news" and stated that it would hasten the inoculation of Filipinos.

Garcia claimed that the National Capital Region (NCR) alone can administer at least 120,000 vaccinations per day.

He also suggested that herd immunity could be achieved faster in Metro Manila with this development.

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