Salvador Panelo reports no adverse side effects from Sinopharm vaccine

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo reported no adverse side effects after receiving a Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine shot.

Panelo, who is a senior citizen and belongs to the A2 priority group, received the vaccine alongside President Rodrigo Duterte who was inoculated the previous day.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque mentioned that President Duterte chose the Sinopharm vaccine due to delays in the FDA's emergency use authorization process for other brands.

Sinopharm vaccine, developed by a Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical giant, received approval in December based on an interim analysis showing 79.34 percent efficacy.

In February, the FDA granted the Presidential Security Group a compassionate use license for 10,000 Sinopharm vaccines.

Panelo encouraged the public not to fear vaccination, stating that vaccines reduce the severity of the virus, prevent death, and keep individuals out of hospitals.

He also advised those who have been vaccinated to continue observing minimum public health standards as a precaution against the virus.