Six vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are  being studied by different pharmaceutical firms, an official of the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday.

 

At a televised press briefing of the Department of Health (DOH), acting WHO Representative to the Philippines Socorro Escalante said:  "The earliest time it may come out as safe and effective for the people, and be registered is about 1 year to 1 1/2 years."

 

After which, she said the candidate vaccines will have to be tested in laboratories, through animals

 

Once successfully tested on animals, Escalante said clinical trials, which has three phases, will be conducted. 

 

Escalante said the vaccines will have to pass the assessment of the  regulatory agencies of  countries, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the case of the Philippines. 

 

"And even while they are already being used by the public, they will still have to be monitored and observed," said Escalante. 

 

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the long process laid down by the WHO proves  it is not easy to develop vaccines. 

 

"Vaccines are not just injected to people. It takes a long and tedious process before one can say that it safe and effective for our people," said Vergeire.

 

"We must be extra vigilant against those making claims of having discovered the cure versus COVID-19. Data, evidence, and science should be the basis before we believe such claims," Vergeire added. 

 

The WHO official also said it would be a good time to prepare the immunization strategy once  vaccines get the FDA's nod. 

 

"Maybe, we can prioritize the more susceptible population, such as health workers, and those with comorbidities," she noted. 

 

"If we want to develop vaccines in the future, we must prepare the local production capacity of the country. Our scientists are world class. But the technology still has to be adopted and developed," said Escalante.  DMS