Sinovac has been urged by groups of Filipino-Chinese businessmen to submit evidence proving that its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine can be injected into the elderly.
Only the ages of 18 to 59 are currently recommended by the Food and Drug Administration to be vaccinated with the China-made vaccine.
“All those being vaccinated by Sinovac, not even one of them has any serious side effects eh. Absolutely wala,” said Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII).
Most of the officials of the said group are already senior citizens. But many in their ranks are ready to be injected with the vaccine when the FDA says it can be used on senior citizens.
Dr. Cecilio Pedro, vice president of FFCCCII, said he hopes senior citizens would be allowed if they volunteered to get Sinovac.
“As leaders of the community, if we say we are afraid to move forward, maraming mga mai-influence e, sasabihin nila si Mr. Pedro ayaw, e di huwag muna tayo. Pangit ‘yun. I’m willing to be vaccinated,” said Pedro.
In a statement, Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said they could revise their initial recommendation was to inject it into 18 to 59 years old, to include senior citizens, once Sinovac submits safety and efficacy data.
Sinovac urged to prove vaccine is applicable to senior citizens
“Once Sinovac submits safety and efficacy data on senior citizens then the EUA (emergency use authority) can be revised,” said Domingo.
Malacañang announced Thursday that the 600,000 doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines are expected to arrive in the country on Sunday, February 28.
“Inaasahan na darating sa araw ng Linggo, itong Linggong ito, ang Sinovac. Kaya excited na tayong lahat,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced in a press briefing.
“Inaasahan at least ang pinaplano natin ay sasalubungin ng mga opisyal ang pagdating ng mga bakuna,” he added.
Roque added the vaccination roll-out could begin the following day.
“If it arrives on Sunday, if I’m not mistaken, then we can roll out on Monday dahil excited na ang maraming kababayan natin,” he said.
The vaccine’s efficacy is from 65.3% to 91.2%. However, it only reached 50.4% among health workers with COVID-19 exposure.