The Philippines is moving a step closer toward making COVID-19 vaccines available commercially with the creation of Task Force Edward that will work on the evaluation and approval of jabs for sale.
The task force, named after British physician Dr. Edward Jenner, who is known for his work on immunization, “aims to make safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines more accessible to the Filipino people,” according to the Food and Drug Administration.
In an earlier interview, the Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said COVID-19 vaccines might be commercially available in the country by early next year.
As of now, Vergeire said only Janssen Pharmaceuticals of Johnson & Johnson has applied for a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR).
The government has so far only issued emergency use authorizations (EUA) to all COVID-19 vaccines and drugs, subject to certain conditions.
“Once a vaccine has a CPR, it can already be available commercially. Janssen has already submitted an application, and it is already being evaluated. But it needs to be studied carefully because this is not just an EUA anymore,” Vergeire said.
“This is going to be the CPR which will give the general population commercial access to vaccines, so it is imperative to study this carefully. It would take months—perhaps early next year we will already have a vaccine that has secured a CPR,” she added.
Vaccines that will be issued CPR will then be made available in FDA-licensed drug establishments.
“Any post-market issues will be addressed through a more rigorous surveillance and pharmacovigilance,” the FDA said but did not elaborate.
“This initiative will help the current administration to shift its focus from COVID-19 crisis management to a more robust recovery of the national economy,” it added.
On Sunday, the country logged 3,643 new COVID-19 cases.
Active cases stood at 35,271 while 49 new deaths were reported.
The DOH said outbreaks are to be expected as face-to-face classes resume today (Monday).