Thread by @cnnphilippines

THREAD: The Department of Health and Food and Drug Administration hold a media briefing.

Updates by our digital producers @laratyan and @bamba__g

@laratyan @bamba__g FDA Director General Eric Domingo says they have received assurance from AstraZeneca that it will include 'very rare adverse event is blood clotting' label in its vaccine doses.

@laratyan @bamba__g FDA DG Domingo says the reports of blood clot following AstraZeneca vaccination is 'one for maybe hundreds, thousands, to millions'.

@laratyan @bamba__g FDA DG Domingo says the remaining doses of AstraZeneca vaccines in the country can be used on senior citizens: Mas maganda ang risk-to-benefit ratio.

@laratyan @bamba__g FDA DG Domingo: Iyong natitira pwedeng gamitin pa rin sa mga senior citizens. Hindi naman natin tinigil ang pagbabakuna.

@laratyan @bamba__g FDA on compassionate special permit on use of ivermectin vs COVID-19: Ang isang ospital pwede mag-apply ng compassionate special permit kung may gamot na hindi rehistrado sa Pilipinas pero available sa ibang bansa.

@laratyan @bamba__g FDA DG Domingo: Hindi ito registration, it is not a marketing authorization.

@laratyan @bamba__g FDA DG Domingo: ‘Yung CSP, eligible ‘yung mga gamot na available sa ibang bansa pero hindi dito— but only for limited patients. | @_alyssarola

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA says doctors and hospitals can apply for compassionate special permit: They take complete responsibility over the product. Ibig sabihin idi-discuss sa pasyente at kailangan tanggapin ng pasyente.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA DG Domingo on Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin claiming FDA can be liable for granting permit on ivermectin use vs. COVID-19: Hindi naman namin sya bibigyan ng permit kung hindi siya eligible.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA DG Domingo: Hindi naman ito bibigyan ng permit kung hind sya eligible. Kaya sya nabigyan, nag-apply ang isang ospital at nagsumbit siya ng requirement na kailangan.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola Will the DOH and FDA use the data of the hospital that has been granted the compassionate special permit for ivermectin use? (1/2)

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA DG Domingo: ‘Yung hospital, pwede silang gumawa ng report, case studies. Pero syempre, depende pa rin sa kalidad ng pagka-design ng papel bago natin malaman kung ito ay magandang ebidensya. (2/2)

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA DG Domingo on phase 3 trials of Sinovac: Iyong trials nila sa bansa ay hindi pa umaandar. Nagkaroon sila ng change sa kanilang protocol and they will submit a revision.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA says the period of AstraZeneca review is ideal since the Philippines' doses is running low. Only 31,912 AstraZeneca doses are available as of Tuesday.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola Is FDA considering suspending use of AstraZeneca on senior citizens?

FDA DG Domingo: On the contrary, iyong clotting was not seen on people 60 and above kaya hindi natin kino-consider. They will take the most benefit out of it.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA DG Domingo: ‘Yung cases investigated ay ‘yung people below 60. So hindi talaga natin naiisip 'yung pag-limit on senior citizens.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA on AstraZeneca use: Ang mga kaso na nakitaan ng very rare adverse event, nakita siya sa first vaccine dose. Kung okay at walang adverse event, they can get the second dose.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA DG Domingo stresses there is 'no competition' among COVID-19 vaccines in PH: We need all the vaccines we can possibly get.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA DG Domingo on ivermectin use: Hindi maaaring ibenta ang gamot sa labas, outside of patients.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA on compassionate permit on ivermetcin granted to one hospital: Hindi pwede ibigay for preventive management, ibibigay ito for life-threatening illness.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA says the Presidential Security Group has yet to respond to ongoing investigation on alleged illegal use of vaccines: Wala talaga, wala pa kaming makuhang response, kahit ako o si Sec. Duque.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA DG Domingo on pending EUA of Sinopharm: Hindi pa sumasagot. technically wala pang application so kung may nagbebenta fake iyan sigurado.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola FDA DG Domingo stresses the agency did not reveal the name of the hospital granted CSP for ivermectin use against COVID-19 due to privacy reasons.

‘It’s really for patients’ privacy,’ he says.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire: We have zero stocks of AstraZeneca.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola Usec. Vergeire: Iyong herd immunity is our long term goal... but we are not seeing it in the nearest possible time. What our objective right now is to reduce hospitalization, severe cases.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola DOH Usec Vergeire on meeting with a World Health Organization expert: We were able to present studies. The recommendations would come in after weeks of working with us.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola DOH Usec Vergeire says COVID-19 testing laboratories that closed during the Holy Week break have already resumed operations.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola DOH Usec Vergeire advises against purchasing oxygen tanks and self use: Families are buying to store it in their homes para meron sila just in case. Hindi dapat ito. They compete with hospitals na kailangan ito.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola DOH Usec. Vergeire on infections among healthcare workers: Primarily community transmission. Its not really getting it from the hospitals, but there are also infections happening in hospital facilities due to certain activities.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola DOH Usec. Vergeire on possible hoarding of oxygen tanks: Dapat ma-inform na hindi dapat ginagawa ito. ‘Yung oxygen, parang gamot ‘yan, dapat may guidance ng doctor.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola DOH Usec. Vergeire says there is no sufficient evidence that there are different symptoms for those who have the COVID-19 variant.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola DOH Usec. Vergeire on possible extension of ECQ in Metro Manila, nearby provinces: We would need to discuss this with IATF on Saturday. After that, we’ll give you information.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola DOH Usec. Vergeire says they have not received any report of blood clotting after AstraZeneca vaccination.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola When will COVID-19 antigen tests be rolled out?

DOH Usec. Vergeire: Magu-umpisa as soon as dumating na ating mga in-order. Ang pagkakaalam ko, the other day, dumating na ang first batch. So as soon as ma-distribute na sa local governments, they can start.

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola On the effect of temporarily stopping use of AstraZeneca on vaccine confidence

DOH Usec Vergeire: I don’t think so kaya kami explain kami ng explain. Sa ngayon naman wala pa naman tayong nakitang na ganitong effect. (1/2)

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola DOH Usec Vergeire: We just want to be very cautious kaya babalikan po namin ang pae-evaluate. (2/2)

@laratyan @bamba__g @_alyssarola As the country commemorates Araw ng Kagitingan, DOH thanks healthcare workers, community responders helping in the COVID-19 response. bit.ly/3uBWRZQ