Philippine senators query government's preference for China Covid-19 vaccine after new efficacy data

MANILA (REUTERS) – Philippine senators on Friday (Jan 15) questioned the government’s preference for the Chinese Covid-19 vaccine after latest data showed it has a lower efficacy rate, saying this would not bode well for a country seeking to boost confidence in vaccines. President Rodrigo Duterte’s office said on Monday it was expecting to receive next month the first batch of coronavirus shots developed by Sinovac Biotech, which at that time has not yet filed an emergency use request with local regulators. The initial shipment was part of the 25 million doses the Philippines has secured from the Chinese vaccine…