Of the vaccines green lighted for use against COVID-19, three require below zero cold storage care: -70 degrees Celsius for Pfizer-BioNTech, -20 degrees for Moderna, and -18 degrees for Sputnik V. Others just need the normal cold storage and distribution requirement for most vaccines which would be at between two to eight degrees.
The three vaccines, incidentally, have the highest stated efficacy during phase 3 trials at 95, 94, and 92 percent, respectively. The first two have been, and continue to be, widely used in rich countries like the United States, UK, and Israel. More importantly, they have been proven so far to be effective and safe for use as gleaned from real world test data covering hundreds of millions of people.
It’s no wonder that in a country with a high rate of vaccine hesitancy like the Philippines, the announced availability of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine last week was welcomed by unexpectedly long queues of people, many of who had held off getting the Sinovac and AstraZeneca jabs made available since early March.
The President has reportedly told people not to be “choosy,” although he had seemingly put off getting the jab until recently in favor of the vaccine from Sinopharm, which currently ranks fourth in efficacy trials at 79 percent. The Chinese vax rates a little higher than the efficacy of AstraZeneca (70 percent), which had been embroiled earlier in blood clotting incidences, though declared rare.
Bias for Pfizer-BioNTech
Filipinos, judging from the exuberant local reception to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, will opt to be “choosy,” knowing too well that all COVID-19 vaccines now being rolled out took a shortcut route, hence the need for them to sign indemnity waivers when getting a shot.
The vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna now command a premium in pricing, having exhibited a high safety record. Supply price contracts between governments and COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers continue to be kept confidential, but information leaks have shown how expensive they are.
There’s a veil of secrecy that shrouds our vaccine supply contracts, but not many are paying attention to this as long as the “right” vaccine – which equates to not having been embroiled in any health issues and having an acceptable safety track record – gets to them.
The recently published articles of Sen. Dick Gordon saying that the Philippine Red Cross would “sell” Moderna vaccines at P3,500 for two shots had been met with much enthusiasm, which later had to be quashed after official PRC statements clarified that the organization was not in a position to sell vaccines.
Still, people are looking forward to lining up for a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna jab, even if it means paying for it.
Shaping up
The Philippines’ race for herd immunity is shaping up much better now that the government just signed for the delivery of 40 million Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses, which would boost the 20 million Moderna vials facilitated by ports and gaming mogul Enrique Razon Jr.
No details were given as to the arrival of the Pfizer-BioNTech jabs, but Razon has said that the Moderna vaccines would start coming in by end June. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez has maintained that the country will receive 200 million doses this year, more than enough to cover for the 80 million people targeted to receive vaccines.
Because of the subzero storage requirement of both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna jabs, distribution should be prioritized in densely urban centers like Metro Manila, where risks of lowered efficacy due to mishandling can be avoided.
This would also allow the National Capital Region (NCR) and outlying provinces that make up the NCR Plus bubble (estimated population of 24 million) to reach a herd immunity level faster, thereby allowing the heart of the country’s economy to operate with less threat of being forced into more lockdowns.
Logistical issues
Now that more Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are expected to come in, it is time to iron out all kinks that come with the two preferred brands, such as building the necessary infrastructure needed to administer the vaccines.
Razon has been painted as irritable about being questioned and criticized for proposing to build a mega COVID-19 vaccination facility at the Nayong Pilipino in Parañaque City, even if the cost will be fully shouldered by the foundation of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), which he chairs.
Cooler heads should prevail, even those of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation board members and supportive environment activists whose concern has been about potentially “killing the existing ecosystem” by felling about 500 trees in the government park.
A vaccination site big enough, conveniently located, and tailor-fit for accommodating huge crowds – that will queue for their vaccine shots safely while observing social distancing, needs to be given enough consideration.
It is understandable how Razon can feel piqued by the blind curve ball thrown at him that could delay an already tight schedule involving getting a big vaccination site ready to receive the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, and more importantly, to get them into the arms of millions at the soonest time.
As each day passes, the threat of resurging virus infections represents potentially prolonged economic agony, not just for the country, but more so for the millions of Filipinos who need to continue earning to feed their families.
There will be other problems. Getting more health workers who will safely and responsibly administer the vaccination process is one. Ensuring that other cities outside the NCR Plus will get an equitable share of vaccines is another.
Given the urgency of the times, let’s argue and debate, but only to look for solutions.
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