By the last quarter of the year, Philippines is expected to be part of the clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine development, announced by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Sunday.
The government gave its nod to the country’s participation in the vaccine trials, with the Department of Science and Technology leading the sub-technical working group responsible for coordinating with the Department of Health, World Health Organization, and Food and Drug Administration on related matters.
According to Roque, the group will formulate the guidelines on vaccine clinical trials, identify the sites as well as the local institutions and Filipino researchers who will be roped in the trials, and assist local participating institutions in their proposals and budgets, among other things.
Roque also said President Rodrigo Duterte is set to review the recommendations of the DOST to establish the new research centers, namely: Virology Science and Technology Institute, and reactivate the Pharmaceutical Development Unit at the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute.
The World Health Organization said that a vaccine for COVID-19 may be available in 18 months.
