The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved the use of the Sinovac vaccine from China in senior citizens.
This is amid the experienced shortage of vaccine in the Philippines against COVID-19.
According to FDA Director-General Eric Domingo, the office is considering the decision on the increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country and the limited vaccine.
“After considering the recommendation of the experts and the current situation of high COVID-19 transmission and limited available vaccines, the FDA is allowing the use of Sinovac on senior citizens,” Domingo said.
But the FDA stressed that the health status and exposure risk of vaccinated seniors should first be evaluated.
The use of Sinovac was previously only allowed in the ages of 18 to 59 years.
But according to the FDA, they had to re-evaluate Sinovac’s data now that the supply of AstraZeneca vaccines is running out.
FDA approves Sinovac for senior citizens
The World Health Organization has previously said that it is possible to delay the former and reduce the next delivery of AstraZeneca vaccines due to the issue of global supply.
But according to the FDA, Department of Health, and National Immunization Technical Advisory Group, up to 12 weeks is recommended between 2 doses of such vaccine.
“Hindi naman talaga nakakatakot dahil meron kang talagang tatlong buwan from the first shot before you give the second one. So pagdating ng mga susunod na Astrazeneca na darating, ire-reserve na yun for the second shot nung mga nabigyan ng first dose,” said Domingo.
Meanwhile, those who recover from COVID-19 will have to wait 14 days before being vaccinated, up from the previous 90 days.
But according to Solante, the vaccine should be given as soon as the COVID-19 patient recovers.
“Studies tell us on 10th day you don’t have anymore ability of the virus to replicate. The participant will still be positive, that doesn’t mean he is infectious, it is just remnant. The soonest you can give the vaccine for the recovered individual, the better for them, so they can have a robust, very good antibody,” said vaccine expert panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante.
The DOH is studying this.