Andronico Del Rosario
CoronaVac—the COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese biotech firm Sinovac—has been used on senior citizens and health workers, despite the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommending against it.
In an interview with DZMM, medical director of Dr. Jose N. Reyes Memorial Hospital, Dr. Fritz Famaran said several senior citizen hospital staff members already received shots with CoronaVac.
The only catch: they had to provide medical clearance and sign a waiver before getting the vaccine.
Dr. Fritz Famaran, medical director of DJNRMH (Tala Hospital), says a number of senior citizens among hospital staff have been vaccinated with Sinovac vaccine. They are required to submit medical clearance & waiver before the vaccination @DZMMTeleRadyo @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/QgaMyHdfXb
— Arra Perez (@_arraperez) March 5, 2021
According to Famaran, a lot of senior citizens have been vaccinated with CoronaVac, despite the label on the box itself saying it may only be used for patients aged 18–59 years old.
“Kung naka-experience sila ng side-effects, mild lang. Karamihan diyan, increase in blood pressure dahil sa anxiety,” he added.
This, of course, has led Netizens to question why President Rodrigo Duterte, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana have all opted out of the Sinovac jab due to age.
Dr. Gene Nisperos, a physician at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, questioned their decision.
Umatras na si Du30, Duque at Lorenzana sa pagpapabakuna ng Sinovac.
Ang dinadahilan nila ay yung FDA recommendations.
The same FDA recommendations they deny healthcare workers from using.
1/— doc gene (@genenisperos) March 1, 2021
FDA: We don't recommend Sinovac for people older than 60. We also do not recommend Sinovac as the optimal vaccine for HCWs.
Duque: I cannot take Sinovac because I am over 60. But HCWs should not be choosy. They should use whatever vaccine comes first.
May obvious, di ba?
2/2— doc gene (@genenisperos) March 1, 2021
He pointed out how they have used FDA recommendations to distance themselves from the controversial vaccine. However, they forced healthcare workers to take the jab because it is what is available.
He also pointed out a possible conspiracy about how effective Sinovac is, especially since Duque refused to take the vaccine as the health secretary.
Dr. Paolo Medina of UP College of Medicine, on the other hand, the government’s move in telling healthcare workers to ‘make do’ with Sinovac when they had ways to tell when the AstraZeneca vaccine would be shipped.
Sa kinauukulan: Andito na yung bakunang AZ galing sa COVAX. Bakit kailangang sabihin at ikalat sa mga HCWs na "walang kasiguruhan at malabo yung pagdating ng ibang bakuna kaya magpaturok na ng kung anong meron"? Gaano naging factor yan sa naging desisyon ng marami? Tama ba yun?
— Paolo Medina MD (@LopaoMD) March 4, 2021
Netizens also had questions for government officials who refuse to take Sinovac jabs, as well as their seemingly adamant preference towards the Chinese biotech company.
Don’t use age as excuse. Ayaw mo lang talaga sa Sinovac. https://t.co/sWbU71y9uD
— Raquel Fortun (@Doc4Dead) March 5, 2021
%#€£*¥%^>?!!!!! https://t.co/T3DacXHmwE
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) March 5, 2021
In other countries, vaccine priority is given to frontline workers and seniors. Duterte chose Sinovac because it was “donated” (but smuggled in first) and prioritized government officials and military personnel. How effed up is that? https://t.co/s2t5GkAgnq
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) March 1, 2021
In other countries, vaccine priority is given to frontline workers and seniors. Duterte chose Sinovac because it was “donated” (but smuggled in first) and prioritized government officials and military personnel. How effed up is that? https://t.co/s2t5GkAgnq
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) March 1, 2021
Di ko gets. Bakit hindi Sinovac? Diba gusto nya Sinovac? I know di recommended for seniors, but di rin naman recommended for health care workers ang Sinovac. And yet. https://t.co/SNVtc3IEsB
— Yoko na. (@runsandrants) March 4, 2021
The FDA previously said they did not recommend Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac for healthcare workers and for senior citizens, too. Based on data from tests done in Brazil–the efficacy of healthcare workers is at 50.4%. If they are in constant contact with COVID-19 patients–the risk is high.
To date, doses of CoronaVac have been shipped out to public hospitals across the country for use with healthcare workers, regardless of being in constant contact with COVID-19 patients or not.
Meanwhile, 487,000 doses of AstraZeneca arrived in the country via the COVAX facility last March 4.
