THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) revealed on Friday the clinical trial sites in the country of three vaccine developers: Janssen, Clover and Sinovac.
Although there is still no exact date of when the clinical trials will begin, Dr. Rowena Guevara, DOST undersecretary for Research and Development, said the areas where the trials will be conducted have been identified.
“But they [three manufacturers] intend to start the soonest [once] the process of preparing sites is completed,” Guevara said.
The identified trial sites are:
- Janssen—San Pablo and Cabuyao, Laguna; Makati City, La Paz, Iloilo; Bacolod City; and Metro Manila
- Clover—Quezon City, Makati City, Manila City, Taguig City, Las Piñas City, Muntinlupa City; Calamba, Laguna; and Dasmariñas, Cavite
- Sinovac—Quezon City, Marikina City, Pasay City, and Alaminos, Laguna
In a media forum of the Department of Health (DOH), Guevara said that clinical trial participants will be randomized under the placebo group or the test vaccine group.
“Both groups will be closely monitored by the study team composed of medical and health professionals,” she said.
Guevara emphasized:
- Joining clinical trials is voluntary.
- Participants would be informed on benefits and risks.
- Clinical trial participants will be closely monitored by medical and health professionals.
- Measures and mechanisms are in place to ensure that a participant’s safety and privacy is upheld to the utmost.
- Participation contributes to the evidence needed to make a potentially beneficial product be available for use.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the clinical trial application of Janssen on December 28, 2020; for Clover, on January 8, 2021; and for Sinovac, January 15, 2021.