The FDA may revise the advisory for China’s Sinovac vaccine if the new data supported inoculation for seniors, according to Duque.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday said that the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) advisory for China’s Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine may revise if new data supported that the said vaccine was safe for senior citizens.
In a report on Inquirer, Duque explained that while he’s yet to receive any new advisory from China’s Sinovac regarding the use of Coronavac for the elderly, the Food and Drug Administration can alter its previous notice on the said vaccine.
Previously, the Food and Drug Administration advised against using Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for seniors or those aged above 60 years old in the absence of a concrete study on its use for the said age range, and since its efficacy rate was lower compared to other COVID-19 vaccines.
In an interview on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo Duque said that he didn’t know if there’s a new advice and so they would have to verify if there’s a new advisory coming from China’s Sinovac.
According to Roque, the reason why China’s Sinovac vaccines weren’t given to seniors because they lack the data on the efficacy rate for those aged 60 years old and above.
“Hindi ko alam kung merong bagong advise, so we will have to verify kung merong bagong advisory that’s coming from Sinovac, kasi the reason hindi naman ‘yan ibinigay dahil kulang na kulang ‘yong datos kung ano ba ‘yong efficacy rate doon sa 60 and above. So baka may bago na sila (data) kasi alam mo, very dynamic eh,” Duque said.
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In addition, Duque said that Sinovac should forward the documents and the data should be clear about whether the said vaccine was safe and effective for senior citizens before FDA changes its previous advisory.
However, Duque disclosed that some health workers who were also senior citizens had written and signed waivers just to be inoculated against COVID-19.
FDA’s advisory on Sinovac’s Coronavac COVID-19 vaccine became controversial as even with an emergency use authorization (EUA), the body didn’t advise its administration for health workers because of its low efficacy ratings.
China’s Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine had registered varying efficacy rates, but the Food and Drug Administration used the 50.4% rating — way lower than Moderna and Pfizer’s recorded efficacy rate of at least 90%.
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