A Filipino Catholic bishop welcomed the news that Russia has released a vaccine for the new coronavirus disease.
Bishop Oscar Florencio of the Episcopal Commission on Health Care, however, said people should also be wary as to its effectivity.
“That’s a welcome news and development,” he said.
“However, we have also to be wary because vaccines should have longer time in its probation as to the efficiency and effectivity,” added the prelate who is also head of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines.
He said that if indeed there is already a vaccine that has been proven effective and safe, it should be given for free especially to the poor.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this week the registration of a vaccine for the new coronavirus disease, a move that was met with international skepticism.
Putin, however, said the vaccine underwent the necessary tests and was shown to provide lasting immunity to the coronavirus.
Scientists in Russia and other countries sounded an alarm, saying that rushing to offer the vaccine before final-stage testing could backfire.
What’s called a Phase 3 trial — which involves tens of thousands of people and can take months — is the only way to prove if an experimental vaccine is safe and really works.
