UNTRUE. The National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) issues statement on Tuesday (Feb. 23), clarifying that a remark attributed to National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. is “untrue.” The task force urged the public to refrain from sharing this fake social media card as it will sow confusion, distrust, and fear as the government prepares for the rollout of vaccination program against Covid-19. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – The National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 on Tuesday clarified that National Policy on Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., did not make any public statement discrediting the efficacy rate of China's Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine.
In a statement, the NTF said the alleged remark, now circulating on social media, being attributed to Galvez on who should be the recipients of the Sinovac vaccines is "untrue."
"Sec. Galvez has never issued any such public statement and will never do so," the statement read. "As he has emphasized time and again, he has complete trust and confidence in the opinion of the Vaccine Expert Panel and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as they are science-based, and will follow their recommendations on the vaccines we shall procuring and administering to our people."
The task force said it is still waiting for the final deliberation of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) regarding the priority list of vaccine recipients, once the Sinovac vaccines arrive in the country.
The NTF advised the public to refrain from sharing unvalidated information on social media as it will cost more confusion and distrust to the government's efforts to procure a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine.
"This is something we would like to avoid as we prepare for the arrival of the vaccines, and the forthcoming rollout of our national vaccine program," it added.
It urged the public to be vigilant against those people "sowing fear and distraction" on the vaccine procurement.
"At this critical period, we should unite and work hand in hand so that we can achieve our collective goal of putting an end to the pandemic, revive our nation’s economy and create a greater sense of normalcy among our people," it said.
Sinovac safe for use
In a virtual press briefing on Monday, FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said the Sinovac Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine has an efficacy rate of 65.3 to 91.2 percent, making it safe for public use.
Domingo said the 65.3 percent efficacy rate was seen in Indonesia while the 91.2 percent efficacy rate was seen in Turkey.
Following a thorough review and screening process of the experts, the country’s FDA said it has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to the Sinovac vaccine.
Meanwhile, Galvez, who is the government’s vaccine czar, maintained that the government has adopted a stringent regulatory process to ensure the efficacy and safety of all Covid-19 vaccines. (PNA)
