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Ph still to develop COVID-19 vaccines —DOH, DOST
By J.Lo
“They will focus on studying viruses and research that will help us develop vaccines,” During Laging Handa briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said with Philippines about to enter year three of the pandemic, government is not too late for the country to develop its own COVID-19 vaccines that are up to international standards.
Vergeire said Virology Institute of the Philippines will be complementary to the DOH.
When questioned if Philippines can keep up with other countries, Vergeire said there are many excellent scientists in the country.
” We think that our country is capable…our scientists here in the Philippines are capable of not just developing vaccines but also studying these various organisms that cause disease, ” she said.
Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said vital for Philippines to establish its own virology and vaccine center because it already has population of about 110 million. It will also help with development of other vaccines such as for flu and coronavirus disease.
“If we start working now, it will not be too late for us…but you know, this doesn’t happen in an instant so we have to build our facility and start researching now,” he said.
In July 2021, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading measures seeking to establish Center for Disease Control (CDC) and virology research institute in the Philippines.
The House Bill 9559 or Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act aims to create country’s premier research and development institute in the field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in humans, plants, and animals.
The VIP shall also act as venue for scientists, both here and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental importance.
Presidential Legislative Assistant Undersecretary Orville Ballitoc said establishment of VIP is among top priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
“We are also happy to inform everyone that the Senate today has sponsored the CDC through the committee of Senator Pia Cayetano,” he said.
De la Peña said that for the construction of the said facility, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already given Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) P50 million for its detailed design.
The DBM in 2021 also allocated around P300 million for research and development, while in 2022, some P150 million was provided to DPWH for initial phase of the facility’s construction in green zone in Clark, he added.
“‘Once this starts, we will make sure to give priority to it because this will give plenty of benefits as compared to the cost that we will invest,” he said.
For the personnel, de la Peña said they already have seven scientists to work in the VIP and more are yet to come.
“We at DOST are strengthening our pharmaceutical center which will also help in the VIP,” he concluded.
Philippines reported 7,661 additional COVID-19 infections, increasing the total caseload to 3,577,298.
Of the fresh infections, the Department of Health said 5,806 occurred from January 20 to February 2, 2022. The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were Western Visayas with 896 or 15%, Metro Manila with 873 or 15% and Calabarzon with 694 or 12%.
The fresh infections also raised active tally to 160,297 which include 5,575 asymptomatic cases, 149,829 mild cases, 3,056 moderate cases, 1,521 severe cases and 316 critical cases.
Further, the nationwide positivity rate was at 24.8%, with 40,453 total conducted tests.
The total recovery tally reached 3,362,904, with 23,392 new ones.
Forty-three more COVID-19 patients died, bringing the death toll to 54,097.
Of the 43 fatalities, 26 occurred in January 2022 (60%), three in December 2021 (7%), one in November 2021 (2%), five in September 2021 (12%), four in August 2021 (9%), three in July 2021 (7%), and one in June 2021 (2%) due to late encoding of death information to COVIDKaya.
Meanwhile, the occupancy rate in the country’s intensive care unit beds is at 46% while 25% of mechanical ventilators are in use.
ICU beds in Metro Manila are 40% utilized while ventilators are 24% in use.
DOH also deleted 28 duplicates, including 18 recoveries, from the case tally. In addition, 28 recoveries were reclassified as deaths.
Only two labs did not report their data to COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS). These labs, in the last 14 days, contribute, on average 0.9% of samples tested and 1.5% of positive individuals
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