The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines of US drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and India’s Bharat BioTech.
FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said both vaccines can be administered to people aged 18 years old and above.
Johnson & Johnson’s Jannsen unit is currently conducting clinical trials in the country.
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The Philippines has so far procured at least 5 million doses of J&J vaccines.
The initial delivery is expected to arrive in the 3rd quarter of the year.
The single-shot J&J vaccine has an efficacy rate of 85% efficacy against severe cases and 100% efficacy against hospitalization and deaths.
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Meanwhile, Covaxin, the first COVID-19 vaccine developed by India, has a clinical efficacy of 81%.
Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion welcomed the approval of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, which has pledged for early delivery this coming May and June.
Concepcion said around 8 million Covaxin shots are expected to arrive in the country. (RA)
