The Philippines has authorized the emergency use of Johnson & Johnson’s one-time coronavirus vaccine days after the US intermittent use due to a rare side effect.
The Philippine Food and Drug Administration approved J & J’s application, vaccine Tsar Carlito Galvez said Monday evening during a televised briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte. It is obvious until 10 million doses of J&J, Galvez said.
The Philippines is committed to speeding up vaccinations and vaccinating all adults in the midst of a new one increase in coronavirus infections economic prospects are dim.
J&J Pause Risks Hesitation, even if the US sees enough photos
India established The vaccine from Bharat Biotech International Ltd. was also approved for emergency use, CNN Philippines said, citing Philippine FDA chief Eric Domingo. Vaccines of Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca Plc., Sinovac Biotech Ltd. and Russia’s Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology have previously received similar approvals.
The Southeast Asian nation expects a whopping 14 million doses of vaccine this quarter, mostly from Sinovac and Gamaleya, Galvez said. Nearly 200,000 Pfizer vaccine doses could also come in this month, he said.
Other highlights
- Lost wages due to five weeks of strict movement restrictions in the capital and nearby provinces will reach 83.3 billion pesos, Economic Planning Minister Karl Chua said in the same briefing.
- Raw rice production in the first quarter increased by 7.2% from a year ago to 4.57 million tons. The Philippines, one of the world’s largest rice importers, is aiming for a record production of 20.4 million tons this year or 93% of the need, said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
- The Philippines plans to import about 400,000 tons of pork this year to help meet this year’s need of 1.62 million tons, Dar said.