With no FDA approval, Malacañang signs deal with Sinovac vaccine for 25 million doses

On Jan. 11, Malacañang announced that the Philippines has secured a shipment of 25 million doses of Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine. The first 50,000 doses are expected to arrive in the country by next month. 

“Dadating na ang bakuna sa Pilipinas sa susunod na buwan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said. https://t.co/J6CIrS1R53 pic.twitter.com/qHrz8BVJbz

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) January 11, 2021

While this may seem like good news, the vaccine has not yet secured emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Sen Panfilo Lacson revealed during a Senate hearing on Jan. 11. 

Senator Panfilo Lacson questioned why a contract with Sinovac had been completed even without EUA, a requirement for the mass vaccination program that the government would launch next month. https://t.co/Lo9VSV3Zk9 pic.twitter.com/DxMHPouEdZ

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) January 12, 2021

“Why did you conclude a contract for 25 million doses [of the Sinovac vaccine] when there’s no EUA yet (from the FDA)? Lacson asked.

During the hearing, FDA director general Eric Domingo stated on record that the Chinese-based pharmaceutical company has yet to apply for an EUA and “might (do so) next week or very soon.”

The Sinovac vaccine also has yet to start clinical trials in the Philippines and has shown a less than 60 percent efficacy rate in its late-stage trials in Brazil.