Andronico Del Rosario
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said CoronaVac should not be used for healthcare workers and senior citizens, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) just approved its use for healthcare workers.
In a surprise move last Friday, February 26, health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire announced that the IATF has approved the proposal from the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and the Department of Health-Technical Advisory Group (TAG)).
According to Vergeire, health experts from NITAG and TAG said CoronaVac, Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine, said it will be “beneficial for healthcare workers”. NITAG and TAG presented their proposal to the IATF that same morning and they were able to get the approval right away.
This news left netizens confused, as the FDA had previously advised against using CoronaVac for healthcare workers who had frequent exposure to COVID-19 patients.
PBB alum Dr. Aura Azarcon, a healthcare worker herself, had this to say about the recommendation from the IATF.
I really want to support the government in its efforts to promote vaccines. I did my due diligence and researched all available data re: Sinovac. WALA akong nakitang convincing. Di ko kaya pagtanggol yan. Knowing my videos reach millions on FB I really don’t know what to do next.
— DoktAURA || Filipino MD (@auraazarconMD) February 25, 2021
She even had plans to post a video on her YouTube channel convincing her followers that COVID-19 vaccines were safe—until the FDA approved Sinovac’s emergency use authority.
My next video was supposed to be about reassuring the public that the COVID vaccines were safe for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. We have published data from Pfizer and Astra Zeneca to back that up.
So far I have no data from Sinovac. Who does?? https://t.co/proEdAIU2R
— DoktAURA || Filipino MD (@auraazarconMD) February 23, 2021
Some netizens are still reeling from the announcement made last Friday.
FDA: we dont recommend Sinovac to health workers
NITAG: we recommend Sinovac to health workers
imagine what a health worker is feeling now?
— ; (@two_oh_teen) February 26, 2021
Some have also questioned whether NITAG had access to data from Sinovac’s clinical trials—and simply refused to make that information public.
Why wouldn’t the NITAG release Sinovac’s clinical test data? Other experts should be allowed to study the data for transparency. Why the secrecy, may tinatago ba kayo?
— Joel Cochico (@jmschumey) February 27, 2021
Former IATF consultant Dr. Tony Leachon pointed out how messy the IATF’s messaging has been about Sinovac.
Sinovac : a Huge Communication Problem
1. FDA , the highest regulatory agency , 4 days ago using the Brazil study with 50 % announced
that the vaccine is not recommended for HCWs and senior citizens. 1/4— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) February 27, 2021
2. Then yesterday DOH ‘s NITAG ( National Immunization Technical Advisory Group ) has recommended that Sinovac could be given to healthcare workers. 2/4
— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) February 27, 2021
3. Logically speaking and perception wise – it has created mistrust among potential recipients – a vaccine recommended in healthy 18-59 age range ; Question : how can you push it when it’s not good for HCW s and senior citizens. 3/4
— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) February 27, 2021
4. Communication plan is very important. Another miscommunication problem has created a crisis for the first vaccine to arrive in the country. PGH Physicians’ Association says initial survey showed 95% of PGH residents and fellows reject getting vaccinated with Sinovac.
4/4.— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) February 27, 2021
The situation was so dire that medical staff from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) staged a strike over their lunch hour to show how much they opposed the recommendation.
HAPPENING NOW: Healthcare workers stage a protest in front of the Philippine General Hospital calling for a safe, effective and free vaccine. This is amid the announcement from the PGH admin that they will receive Sinovac vaccine instead of Pfizer. pic.twitter.com/p5O5cb3sH7
— Philippine Medical Students' Association (@PMSANational) February 26, 2021
The PGH Physician’s Association also issued a statement earlier today, February 27, after PGH administration said it was ready to “take whatever vaccine becomes available.”
PGH Physicians’ Association says initial survey showed 95% of PGH residents and fellows reject getting vaccinated with Sinovac.
“PGH should uphold the ideals of ethical and evidence-based medicine, for which it has been a bastion of.” pic.twitter.com/jKNPkTKL9i
— Barnaby Lo (@barnabychuck) February 27, 2021
This has led to people crying foul for PGH medical staff.
I feel sorry for all our colleagues in PGH who feel betrayed with all the delays, glitches, and switches in the vaccine rollout.
We need public health leadership that will defend our health care workers' right to health – not use them as bargaining chips or sacrificial lambs.
— Gideon Lasco (@gideonlasco) February 25, 2021
Now that PGH employees will reportedly be receiving Sinovac despite conflicting opinion on its appropriateness for HCWs at COVID-19 referral centers, I have two questions up top:
1. Why does it feel as though this administration may be deliberately pressuring us into submission?
— Jers (@jntaguibao) February 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/jntaguibao/status/1364825609612849153
To date, reception of Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine is still cold for Filipinos, with most looking to opt out of any vaccinations involving CoronaVac.
The IATF, for its part, continues to convince people that CoronaVac is safe to use; however, data from Brazil has shown that its efficacy rate only matches those of other vaccines when taken by “clinically healthy” individuals aged 18 – 59 years old.
