HPAAC tells government: We’ll keep close watch on implementation of vaccination program

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The Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against Covid-19 (HPAAC) on Monday vowed to closely watch processes of the government’s vaccination program to ensure that all legal procedures are complied with.

In a media forum on Monday, HPAAC’s Dr. Antonio Dans also urged Filipinos to be vigilant to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) remain free from political or economic pressures.

“We will watch the processes closely to ensure that it will not violate any law. Why? Because this is the people’s money, they will use our tax money here,” Dans said in Filipino.

He stressed that Filipinos should have the factual information and to demand full accountability of the national Covid-19 vaccination program.

Core legal processes and public health values must be protected and upheld, Dans said.

Scientific process

HE explained that all new vaccines undergo stringent scientific processes to ensure safety and efficacy but due to the current pandemic, an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) is given to Covid-19 vaccines that show favorable preliminary results.

He added that expert bodies evaluate the benefits against the risks, and cost-effectiveness of mass vaccination.

At this stage, only national government transacts directly with companies to:

1) ensure proper handling

2) closely monitor adverse effects

3) ensure distribution that is consistent with public health strategy.

He added that the decision-making processes for vaccine selection may be complex.

However, Dans noted, that there are panels of experts with the right qualifications to ensure the integrity of science in public health choices:

The Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) makes recommendations based on the scientific literature on what vaccines can be included in the selection process (i.e., vaccine portfolio)

FDA grants EUA to vaccine applicants after thorough risk-benefit analysis

HTAC further studies the vaccines with EUA if they meet the cost-effectiveness threshold for the intended benefits to the population; an HTAC approval is required for any vaccine purchase that involves public funds

The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group oversees the prioritization and distribution process

National Adverse Events Following Immunization Committee monitors possible side effects of vaccines

Dans added that it is also the civic duty of the Filipinos to understand the process and ensure that these bodies, particularly the FDA and HTAC, remain free from political or economic pressures.

While the scientific publication of China’s Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine has yet to be published, Dans asked the public to refrain from giving early judgment. Many raised doubts on the 50 percent efficacy rate of Sinovac.

This was echoed by HPAAC member Dr. Aileen Espina, saying the public should first wait for the data of any Covid-19 vaccine.

“All vaccines will undergo a process],” she said as she appealed to the public to “withhold judgement.”

Pfizer

Meanwhile, the DOH said that they are expecting Pfizer to submit a report to the FDA to be able to make a decision on its EUA after 29 deaths in Norway were linked to the vaccine of Pfizer.

Once evaluation and conclusion is done, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said, “that is the time that the FDA can decide on the EUA of Pfizer here in the country.”

But for now, Vergeire said, the EUA stays. “For us here, their EUA remains on status quo,” she said.