Gov’t expert estimates PH COVID-19 vaccine approval by April-June 2021

An infectious disease expert working for the Philippine government estimates that a COVID-19 vaccine could be approved and distributed in the Philippines as early as April to June 2021.

Dr Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research Development, made this projection based on the timeline needed to complete crucial Phase 3 trials and obtain approval from food and drug administrations.

Filipino vaccine expert Dr Melvin Sanicas described Montoya’s estimate as a 'reasonable' but 'best-case scenario.'.

Montoya also discussed potential challenges in making the vaccine accessible to high-risk Filipinos and the poor, and mentioned ongoing discussions with Russian experts about conducting Phase 3 trials for their Sputnik V vaccine in the Philippines.