Contrary to earlier news reports, the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) has not yet issued any recommendation with regard to the use of CoronaVac vaccine from Sinovac. HTAC is currently in the process of evaluating evidence on the said COVID-19 vaccine, and is awaiting more data. 

Recognizing the importance of the potential of all COVID-19 vaccines to help the national government in the pandemic response, the HTAC commits to judiciously look into all aspects of the CoronaVac vaccine which can impact the health system response as well as the health of vaccine recipients. This ensures that the HTAC produces evidence-based recommendations amidst the expedited process. The HTAC shall make available the basis of its recommendations on the CoronaVac vaccine as soon as the assessment of the vaccine is completed. 

The HTAC, by virtue of the UHC Law and the Bayanihan Law, is an independent multidisciplinary body of experts tasked to assess the evidence of health technologies including COVID-19 vaccines for DOH and PhilHealth funding. Further, per Section 7 of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act, the HTAC shall have the authority to make recommendations to the DOH on COVID-19 vaccines based on preliminary data from Phase III clinical trials and World Health Organization recommendations, in the absence of completed Phase III and Phase IV clinical trials provided that the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer has been issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).