Pangilinan supports PGH doctors’ call for review of Sinovac

As Sinovac vaccines arrived in the country on Sunday, Senator Francis Pangilinan urged the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) to fast-track its review and recommendation on the use of the China-made vaccines, the first anti-Covid-19 doses in the Philippines.

“Tulad ng mga taga PGH (Philippine General Hospital), gusto natin ng mas science-based na impormasyon tungkol sa mga bakunang ituturok sa atin,” he said.

“Gusto natin ng pinaka-mabisa at pinakaligtas na bakuna para sa ating mga,” Pangilinan said.

“Calling on Dr. Marita Reyes of HTAC. You promised us in the Senate Committee of the Whole hearings last January that you would not allow politics to interfere with your decision. We trust your words. Please make your decision on Sinovac known soonest,” he said.

Pangilinan backed the call of the PGH Physicians’ Association seeking appraisal of the Chinese-manufactured Sinovac “to facilitate individual informed decision-making” before it is administered to the population.

In making the call, the group emphasized that the PGH’s “ideals of ethical and evidence-based medicine” should be upheld.

“Makinig tayo sa mga eksperto. The best ang ating mga doktor sa PGH. Makinig tayo sa kanila,” Pangilinan said, noting that Filipinos continue to face the threat of Covid-19 as they await the arrival of the vaccine.

“Sinovac, being the only available vaccine for now, must be reviewed by HTAC. Purchased or donated, NO vaccine that will arrive and will be used in the country should be exempted from this requirement,” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)