The House’s hearing comes a week after the Senate held two hearings on the government’s vaccine program last week. Didn’t get to watch the hours long hearings? Catch up on what happened with our quick Rappler Recap here! youtu.be/-jh48KDRmqk
Conversation
Galvez reiterates whole initial doses may arrive in February, bulk of vaccines will arrive 3rd-4th quarter of 2021 due to limited global supply.
The Duterte govt’s 2021 goals: 148 million doses to vaccinate 50-70 million Filipinos.
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Galvez mentions countries who pool national demand through national gov't in defense against perceptions that national gov’t here is “monopolizing” procurement of vaccines.
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Aside from securing supply, he says this will ensure prioritization of groups, and will also follow practice of vaccine companies to only deal with national governments while supply is limited and vaccines are only given emergency approval.
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During the Senate’s hearing into vaccines, Galvez got a boost from health experts who backed this set up, saying procurement should ensure equitable access and prioritization of high risk groups vs it being a matter of purchasing power.
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How will gov’t distribute vaccines? High risk areas to be prioritized (think where there are high incidence of cases & attack rates); then in those areas - priority groups to be followed (frontline health workers first, senior citizens, indigent pop, etc)
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Duque says govt wants to cover at least 80% of each group to be vaccinated with less than 10% refusals and less than 10% deferrals.
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Duque reiterates the government’s 2021 goal of vaccinating 50-70 million Filipinos but adds this will depend greatly on global supply of vaccines.
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Duque mentions preparations being finalized now: masterlist of people included in priority groups to receive vaccine, “microplanning” of distribution with LGUs, mapping out more fixed sites for vaccination (aside from health centers and hospitals, govt looking at private clinics)
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DOH technical advisory member Dr Edsel Salvana on 3 things medical experts want vaccines to achieve:
- prevent severe disease, prevent clinical disease, prevent transmission(no evidence of this yet w/current vaccines; that’s why experts still urge following min health standards)
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Salvana details findings on COVID-19 vaccines so far:
(Note: AstraZeneca and Sinovac still need to publish interim Phase 3 trial data in a peer-reviewed journal - this is something experts look for to assess vaccines and address issues in transparency of data)
Replying to
FDA DG Domingo explains how the agnecy issues emergency use authorization in the Philippines.
An EUA is not the same as giving a product full approval, there are strict conditions for use and monitoring. Rappler breaks down that process in this story:
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In the Philippines, the FDA gave its first EUA to Pfizer last week. Domingo mentions that as more info comes out on the vaccine from its use of different countries, instructions for use will be updated.
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Other companies which have applied for emergency use in the Philippines:
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Marikina City D2 Rep Stella Quimbo asks how the availability and cost of vaccine is figured into when considering vaccines - Domingo says this is where the HTAC comes in: under the UHC, HTAC looks at cost-effectiveness of vaccines when including it in a public health program
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The HTAC also has the unique role of addressing conflicts of interest - in the Senate’s hearing, HPAAC Convenor Dr Antonio Dans said this seeks to ensure any product used in a public health program is not influenced by commerical or political interests.
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On storage needs, Duque says gov’t has enough storage for vaccines needing 2-8°C, -20°C,-60 to -80°C until July. By August, 3rd party logisitics providers will need to be tapped; DOH already talking to partners for this.
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In the Senate’s hearing, Duque said this included Zuellig, Royal Cargo, Orca, LBC, etc:
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Duque says DOH considering house-to-house vaccination strategy for high risk sectors, senior citizens, & people who may have diffucult going to vaccination site but says this will be "more of an exception rather than the rule.” Gov’t current strategy uses fixed vaccination sites.
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Galvez said of the 7 companies gov’t is in advanced negotiations with, only AstraZeneca, Novavax, Moderna have so far expressed willingness to enter into tripartite agreements (with either private groups, LGUs).
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How does govt plan to address preferences for certain vaccine brands? Galvez said no one will be forced to receive a vaccine but will be made aware of implications if refused (will need to wait longer, will be placed lower in priority list)
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Galvez appealed to public to get vaccinated when it’s their turn, saying only vaccines given FDA approval and cleared by expert panels will be used in the country
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After confusing and conflicting statements on vaccines from the Duterte gov’t, lawmakers ask Galvez to state official point persons for vaccine matters:
Negotiation, procurement - Galvez
Selection - DOST Vaccine expert panel
Pathway for regulation - FDA
Implementation - DOH
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For the latest on vaccines the Philippines is eyeing, check Rappler’s tracker here (updated with latest Moderna doses announced by Galvez in the House hearing):