Senator Sherwin Gatchalian renewed his call on the establishment of the Philippines’ own Virology and Vaccine Institute to help strengthen local capacity for vaccine development amid continuing cases of pertussis or ‘whooping cough’ and other preventable diseases.
Gatchalian issued the statement during the observance of the World Immunization Week from April 24 to 30.
He noted that the Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 1,477 cases of pertussis and 63 fatalities from January 1 to April 6. The DOH also said children under five years old make up 76% of recorded cases.
Under the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act of 2022, the senator seeks initiatives to boost technology transfer as well as create a premier research and development facility to develop vaccines for various types of viruses affecting humans, plants, and animals.
“If we have our own Virology and Vaccine Institute, we can address the need for an appropriate and timely research and supply of vaccines, like what we are experiencing now with regards to the vaccines for pertussis,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian also recalled the country’s experience during the COVID 19 pandemic when the need to develop our own vaccine production had been highlighted.
While pertussis cases are rising steadily, the DOH previously flagged a looming shortage of pertussis vaccines by May.
However, the DOH was able to secure three million pertussis doses from the Serum Institute of India to ensure continuous vaccine supply in May and June.
Six million doses of pentavalent vaccines, which offer protection against pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B, are expected to arrive by July.