As the world celebrates the high efficacy rating of coronavirus vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, it is imperative for the Philippine government to implement strict measures to ensure that the Covid-19 vaccines are not only effective but also safe for use by the general public.
Last week, Pfizer has applied to U.S. health regulators for emergency use authorization (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine, a major step toward providing protection against the coronavirus in the United States, given still swelling numbers of new cases.
On the other hand, Moderna has touted that the first interim analysis of the Phase 3 COVE study resulted in a vaccine efficacy of 94.5%, which is similar to the results achieved by Pfizer.
Vaccine arms race
While all of these vaccine breakthroughs are certainly welcome to the world, caution should still be exercised by the Philippine government in selecting which Covid vaccine supplier should be first-in-line in our national vaccine procurement.
This concern comes amid reports that the PH government is scheduled to procure as much as sixty million doses of vaccines from three pharmaceutical companies: AstraZeneca, Sinovac and Pfizer.
According to PH vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the PH government expects to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with AstraZeneca before November 30, boasting that the company has proposed a competitive price of $5 per vaccine dose.
However, it should be borne in mind that the stated efficacy rating of AstraZeneca’s vaccine is lower than both Pfizer and Moderna, at merely seventy-percent.
In order to maximize the use of public funds for sixty million doses, government should prioritize vaccines with the highest efficacy ratings.
Prioritizing safety
Furthermore, government should note that AstraZeneca’s vaccine trials were halted globally in September after an unexplained illness by a study participant, with the US not allowing trials to continue until October 23.
This should serve as a red flag to Secretary Galvez to consider all other available vaccines produced around the world with a similar efficacy and safety profile, instead of rushing to sign a procurement agreement with AstraZeneca.
On the other hand, government should also be wary about rushing into a contract with Sinovac Biotech, as its Covid vaccine had also been the subject of a vaccine trial suspension, this time in Brazil. In November, one of Sinovac’s trial volunteers experienced a “severe adverse incident,” although the company had rejected insinuation’s that the vaccine caused the adverse incident.
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Moreover, the company itself published mixed findings from its two first clinical trials Tuesday, as the vaccine generated lower levels of protective antibodies in the bloodstream compared with those arising in recovered coronavirus patients.
As such, the Philippines should not make the same mistake as Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most populous country, which recently made a big bet on Sinovac’s vaccine.
Without a showing of efficacy and safety similar to those made by the vaccine forerunners, government has no business even discussing future contracts with Sinovac.
Cost concerns
Another area of concern is ensuring the least cost for the most effective vaccine treatment in the magnitude of sixty million doses, especially as the inoculation of a majority of Filipinos, through herd immunity, is viewed as a major strategy in defeating the coronavirus pandemic.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said that no less than P73.2-Billion should be earmarked for this endeavor. With this serious amount of public funds, government should make sure that this is funding well spent towards the most effective vaccine treatment.
Frontrunner Pfizer has been reported to price its vaccine at $20 per dose, lower than Moderna’s estimated range of $25-$37 per dose.
On the other hand, AstraZeneca has proposed to the PH government the price of $5 per dose, while Sinovac is reportedly selling its vaccine at $30 per dose.
With the wide spread of pricing between competing vaccines, the main priority should be on efficacy and safety, instead of cost considerations. Government should negotiate hard to further lower vaccine prices while secure immediate supply commitments from these firms.
Equal access
Furthermore, government should allow equal access to all Covid vaccines into the Philippine market regardless of its country of origin, for as long as efficacy and safety can be proven.
Outside of the four leading pharmaceutical companies, there are several other countries engaged in vaccine trials. Government should not shut its doors to these vaccines, particularly if these vaccines are similarly effective, safe and affordable.
