Sr. Lorena L.

Soque,MCST

Ethics: Reaction Paper

February 03, 2021

“How are you to assess the decision of Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to purchase Sinovac which
is 50.4% effective rather than Pfizer BioNtech which is 94% effective?
According to some news coronaviruses are strains of viruses that cause common, mild illnesses
like the common cold and seasonal flu. This leads to the possible compromise of public health
and safety. “Enhanced community quarantine” has been imposed by the government in the
National Capital Region as of March 16, for strict compliance. Citizens are to stay at home and
observe home quarantine until the 14th of April. Many are expressing their complaint toward this
as the government has not yet issued a statement regarding the sustainability of this quarantine,
especially for families below the poverty line.
There has been much political debate over the Chinese Sinovac vaccine recently. Some media
outlets are reporting that the Philippines is negotiating to secure millions of doses of this vaccine
to be delivered by March. But my question is: what exactly do we know about this vaccine?
According to December 21,2020 news report, the scientific paper published in July reported that
the vaccine was able to generate an immune response in mice, rats, and monkeys. Animals that
were vaccinated with this Chinese vaccine were able to make powerful antibodies that killed
SARS-CoV2.
One thing I was surprised to learn of the high price point for the Sinovac vaccine. According to a
price list made available recently by a Filipino senator’s office, the Chinese vaccine is nearly six
times more expensive than the AstraZeneca vaccine and nearly 1.5 times more expensive than its
Pfizer counterpart! Why is it so expensive? I am wondering why none of the Chinese communist
leadership have been vaccinated with their own vaccine? According to the News US Vice
President Michael Pence was vaccinated with the Pfizer shot days after it received its emergency
authorization. Why none of the Chinese authorities been similarly vaccinated as far as we know?
“The Chinese are not lacking in brains,” Duterte said in the news. “The Chinese are bright. They
would not venture (into producing vaccines) if it is not safe, sure and secure.”
In my assessment I am worried that the Philippines would receive poor quality vaccines that
China would not even give its own best.
In the end, I am convinced that the national government will have to answer this two important
questions that I’ve read in the news before the Sinovac vaccine is deployed. Chinese record of
producing substandard products, how will we really know that the Sinovac vaccine is safe and
efficacious? Given the cheaper and seemingly more effective alternatives from the other country,
why are we paying so much for this vaccine?
According to the news, Duterte made the remarks as questions have been raised over the level of
protection Sinovac Biotech’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine can provide, after researchers in
Brazil released late-stage clinical data showing efficacy that was lower than initially announced.
I would like to give thanks to Senator Francis Pangilinan, who called on the government to
cancel the purchase of the Sinovac vaccine, one of seven it is lining up as it plans to begin
immunization next month. Sad to say that Pres. Duterte obviously focused only to China than the
other country. I am continuously pray for his enlightenment and conversion. Lastly, If Pres.
Duterte and his followers did not change their minds in imposing “sinovac”, I would suggest that
they will be the first to vaccinate the sinovac vaccine before the countrymen.