From Senator Bong Go's Facebook has been posted the following news in connection with COVID-19 vaccine:
Senator Bong Go - The President's Man
August 11, 2020
Russia confirmed that it has already successfully completed
the clinical trials (phase 3) for the world’s first vaccine against COVID-19.
“Nagpahiwatig ang Russian government, through Ambassador
Igor Khovaev, na natapos na nila ang clinical trials, ang phase 3, para sa
vaccine against COVID-19. Kasalukuyang inaayos na lang ang mga government
registration papers nito,” Go shared.
“Tatlong bagay ang nasa offer ni Ambassador Khovaev. Una, na
dito rin sa Pilipinas mag-conduct ng clinical trials. Magsu-supply din sila sa
atin ng bakunang ito kontra COVID-19.
At, pangatlo, plano nilang mag-set up ng local manufacturing dito mismo
sa bansa natin,” he confirmed.
The vaccine, using the trade name “Avigavir”, has been
developed by the National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology
under the name of N.F. Gamaleya of the Russian Ministry of Health. The center has previously developed
successful vaccines against Ebola fever and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
(MERS) virus. The vaccine research was supported by the Russian Direct
Investment Fund (RDIF). It was the RDIF that proposed to establish partnership
with the Philippines in COVID-19 manufacturing and distribution.
“Dahil sa maayos na independent foreign policy of ‘being an
enemy to none and a friend to all’ ni Pangulong Duterte, nasisiguro ng
pamahalaan natin na meron tayong access sa development at, eventually, mga
supply ng bakuna kontra COVID-19 mula sa mga bansa na itinuturing nating mga
development partners,” Go explained.
He attributed President Duterte’s independent foreign policy
for this, and which is anchored on a national security policy that puts
balanced emphasis on the welfare and well-being of the Filipino people.
Go also shared that the Philippine Ambassador to the United
States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, confirmed that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
is urging two vaccine manufacturers to meet Romualdez anytime this week.
“Inaayos ang pagpupulong between our ambassador to the
United States and at least two vaccine manufacturers in the US,” Go also
shared. Novavax is reportedly interested
also in co-manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines.
The President, in his latest State of the Nation Address
last July 27, also revealed that he talked to his Chinese counterpart to ensure
access of the Philippines to Chinese vaccine against COVID-19.
As of August 7, at least six vaccines are entering Phase 3
trials, according to Michael Ryan, executive director of the World Health
Organization – Health Emergencies Program.
Phase 3 trials are conducted involving the general
population and are required before making available to the public any vaccine
produced to further ensure its safety.
They are designed to determine if the vaccine being developed can
protect large number of people over a longer period of time. Previous trials had focused on safety,
immunogenicity and immune response in a smaller number of people.
To date, at least 165 vaccines against COVID-19 are being
developed under various trial stages, with 26 of them now under clinical
trials.
Previously, Go urged the national government to come up with
a national vaccine program to ensure access of particularly the poorest of the
poor and other vulnerable Filipinos should a vaccine against COVID-19 becomes
available.
"Huwag sana pabayaan ang mga mahihirap. Paghandaan na
natin ngayon palang. Magtabi na tayo ng budget para masigurong kakayanin ng
gobyerno na matulungan ang pinaka-nangangailangan. Magkaroon po tayo ng plano
kung saan dapat pantay-pantay at hindi lang ang mga may kaya sa buhay ang
makakakuha," he earlier urged.
"Unahin dapat ‘yung mga mahihirap na nangangailangan ng
vaccine pero walang kakayahan na makabili nito. Dapat siguraduhing maging
available, accessible at affordable ito sa lahat. Dapat pantay-pantay," he
said.
The finance department has earlier announced that it
earmarked P20 billion for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, with Go also
appealing to the government to allocate additional funds.
"Ito ay upang mas marami pang mga kababayan natin, lalo
na ang mga pinaka-nangangailangan, ang mabibigyan ng libreng bakuna. Ito ay
alinsunod din sa nais ni Pangulong Duterte na unang mabigyan ng bakuna ang mga
poorest of the poor and other vulnerable sectors," Go further said.
Go reminded concerned government agencies that they are
expected to prioritize, coordinate and report to the President and the Filipino
people the developments on this issue of national importance.
“Patuloy po nating hinaharap ang epekto ng pandemya sa ating
buhay. Bigyan natin ang ating mga kababayan ng balitang mas magpapalakas ng
kanilang loob. If everything goes according to plan, we will soon overcome this
crisis as one nation,” Go said.
