Sinopharm vaccine gets WHO nod Published: 1:33 AM, May 08, 2021
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The World Health Organization (WHO) approved a COVID-19 vaccine from China s state-owned drugmaker Sinopharm for emergency use on Friday, a boost to Beijing s push for a big role in inoculating the world. The vaccine, one of two main Chinese coronavirus vaccines that have been given to hundreds of millions of people in China and elsewhere, is the first developed by a non-Western country to win WHO backing.
It is also the first time the WHO has given emergency use approval to a Chinese vaccine for any infectious disease. Earlier this week, separate WHO experts had expressed concern about the quality of data the company provided on side effects.
President Duterte (Malacañang Photo)
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Duterte ordered the withdrawal of some 1,000 jabs of the Chinese-made vaccines from the Philippines on Wednesday because they have not been granted an emergency use authorization by the local Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In his press briefing on Thursday, Roque said the Sinopharm vaccines would be sent back to China but President Duterte’s second dose would be secured.
“Siyempre, hindi ibabalik yung pang-second dose ni Presidente, para matapos niya ang second dose niya (Definitely we will not be returning his second dose so he can complete the vaccination),” he said.
President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a televised address on May 5, 2021 (RTVM Screenshot)
In his televised public address late Wednesday night, the Chief Executive said he ordered the withdrawal of some 1,000 jabs of Sinopharm vaccine from the Philippines.
Duterte apologized for getting the shot, the proof of which was uploaded by the Palace on Monday, May 3.
“Well, it’s the decision of my doctor. Anyway, it is my life,” he said, adding that his doctors recommended Sinopharm because of its “record” overseas.
The President earlier said he wanted himself and his family to be inoculated with Sinopharm vaccine, which is reportedly the same one used on Chinese officials, as well as in Brazil and Indonesia.
President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his “Talk to the People” on May 5, 2021 (RTVM Screenshot)
The Chief Executive received the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine on Monday, May 3. The vaccine, developed by Beijing Biological Products Institute under state-owned China National Biotec Group (CNBG), is said to be 79.34 percent effective.
During a televised address to the nation aired late Wednesday night, Duterte said he personally asked Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian to withdraw some 1,000 doses that Beijing donated.
“Sinabi ko kay ambassador criticize nila kasi hindi nga dumaan ng examination iyong Sinopharm. Sabi ko tanggalin mo na lang (I told the ambassador that they are criticizing it because Sinopharm did not go through an examination. I told him just withdraw it). You withdraw all Sinophram vaccines, 1,000 of them,” the President shared of his conversation with the Chinese envoy.
Published May 6, 2021, 1:12 AM
Despite insistence that it was his doctor who recommended the Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine, President Duterte apologized for receiving a vaccine that has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The President admitted that Sinopharm, developed by Beijing Biological Products Institute under state-owned China National Biotec Group (CNBG), has not been tested by the country’s FDA.
President Rodrigo Duterte (Malacañang photo)
“So we are sorry. You are right, we are wrong,” Duterte said during a prerecorded public address aired shortly before midnight of Thursday.
“Ganito ho ‘yan (It’s like this), well, we are sorry that we committed the things that you are criticizing us for. We accept responsibility,” he added.