The vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) developed by the Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (Sinovac) of China moved closer to a clinical trial in the country. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Rolando Enrique Domingo confirmed that Sinovac has applied for permission to try out its CoronaVac vaccine here after passing the prescreening of the Vaccine Experts Panel (VEP). Once Sinovac completes its documentation, it could start the trials after a two-to-three-week review. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the VEP would also ask for additional evidence from Sinovac after the manufacturer’s phase three clinical trials proved successful in Brazil. Vergeire also said the Department of Health has started to inform local government units and communities about the trials to be conducted by the World Health Organization and the independent vaccine manufacturers.

Source: Manila Times October 22, 2020 16:18 UTC