MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Duterte government’s plan to procure the Chinese coronavirus vaccine Sinovac drew lots of criticism from politicians and experts. Many have said that it didn’t make sense to purchase the Chinese vaccine which is said to be only 50% effective compared the the 95% efficacy of the U.S. vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna. The critics also criticized the fact that Sinovac is more expensive than the other vaccines already approved for Emergency Use Authorization.

Well, the Duterte government found a surprise ally in VP Leni Robredo who defended the plan to purchase Sinovac.

Robredo told The Adobo Chronicles that if Sinovac is only 50% effective, the Philippines should then double its purchase of the vaccine so that Filipinos can be given two doses instead of just one. “Two doses of 50% effectiveness each would amount to 100% efficacy, even better than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines,” she said.