SunStar
(Contributed via Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo)
+ April 08, 2021 (UPDATED) The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, April 8, 2021, adopted the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for adults below 60 years old in the wake of reports linking it to blood clots and low platelet counts.
FDA Director General Rolando Enrique Domingo, however, emphasized that the suspension does not mean the vaccine is unsafe or ineffective against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“It just means that we are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of every Filipino. We continue to underscore that the benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh the risks and we urge everyone to get vaccinated when it s their turn,” he said in a statement.
DOH, FDA temporarily suspend AstraZeneca use on persons below 60 years old
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(Photo by Ali Vicoy / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“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,” said FDA Director-General Rolando Enrique Domingo in a text message.
Domingo, however, noted that an evaluation on the health condition of the vaccine recipient should first be conducted.
“Vaccination should be preceded by an evaluation of the person’s health status and exposure risk to assure that benefits of vaccination outweigh risks,” he added.
During the Laging Handa press briefing on Wednesday, the country’s vaccine experts panel (VEP) has recommended the use of the China-made vaccine to 60-years-old and above.