DOH: Vaccine to go through regulatory process

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) assured the public yesterday that the COVID-19 vaccine of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. will go through the country’s regulatory processes.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said AstraZeneca’s vaccine would not be exempted from regulations even if there is already an agreement signed by the government and the private sector with the company.

“Everything that is being done now is just part of negotiation – to ensure vaccine allocation for our country,” she said at a press briefing.

On Friday, the government and private sector inked an accord with AstraZeneca for the supply of some 2.6 million doses of vaccine for COVID-19.

Under the accord, private firms will make the purchase and donate the vaccines to the government.

Half of the vaccines would be for government frontliners while the other half would be for regular and contractual private employees included in the government’s list of priority sectors.

According to Vergeire, AstraZeneca vaccines, as well as other products, would not be allowed in the Philippines unless they pass regulatory standards.

“It’s just like they are having this advance commitment, ensuring that we will have this allocation,” she added.

She maintained that candidate vaccines are being evaluated by the Vaccine Expert Panel and Ethics Review Board.

Those that passed the evaluation are forwarded to the Food and Drug Administration for approval and licensing.