Charles Teves
Amid the constant rising of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, a medical professional has advised the public to not rely on a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Personal ho ito, huwag muna po tayong masyadong umasa pa sa bakuna kasi right now even in other countries like in UK nakakakita sila ng side effects, mga adverse events,” Dr. Maricar Limpin told TeleRadyo.
She said that the results of the clinical trials should also be considered, not just the vaccine’s effectiveness.
“We really need to look at the result ng mga lahat ng mga trials na ginagawa sa ngayon and hindi lang ho natin titingnan ‘yung effectiveness nung bakuna, kung ‘di pati na rin ‘yung safety issue,” said the vice president of Philippine College of Physicians.
“Importante itong dalawa. Kung ‘di mami-meet ‘yung isa sa dalawang ito, then hindi ho natin dapat gamitin ‘yung bakunang ‘yun,” she added.
President Rodrigo Duterte previously said that the Philippines will be using vaccines from China and Russia if proven effective.
The Philippines still has the most coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia at 270,000, while the government’s current plan, according to the president himself, is to just wait for a vaccine to hopefully help the country recover from the pandemic.
Duterte has been accused by western pharmaceutical companies of profiteering, but Limpin thinks these companies have vested interest in countries such as China, Russia, the US, and also Europe.
“I don’t think anyone involved in this, nag-invest ng malaki ay hindi mag-iisip na babalik na magkaroon siya ng return of investment. I still believe this is still business,” she said.
The World Health Organization Solidarity Trial Program will be prioritizing the Philippines in its vaccine trials.
“Mas maganda ‘yung involved tayo dahil kita natin first hand ano ho ang maaring maging effect nung mga vaccines na ito. Effective po ba siya at magiging safe, that is what’s important,” Limpin said.
Beijing and Moscow will also probably be involved in the trials.
The Philippines is considered the country with the strictest lockdown anywhere in the world, leaving a great number of citizens unemployed.
Duterte detractors, and even supporters, have agreed that the Office of the Vice President is doing more for the country than the entire government.
Vice President Leni Robredo has been praised for her efforts. Her office’s new initiative seeks to help unemployed Filipinos find a job online.
