Duterte believes vaccine, medicine vs. COVID-19 will be available by December

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he believes a vaccine or a medicine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be available by December.

“I think by December mayroon na hong vaccine or at least if not a vaccine, a medicine that could kill the COVID-19,” Duterte said in his nationally televised address aired past midnight on Wednesday.

The chief executive also said he prefers that the country use medicine to kill the virus and get the vaccine later on.

Duterte's belief that a vaccine against the virus is coming soon has become a familiar refrain during these meetings, with the president citing reported successes of Chinese researchers.

In his address last June 23, Duterte even claimed several countries have already “perfected” vaccines for COVID-19.

As of Tuesday, the Philippines has recorded a total of 47,873 cases of COVID-19 with 12,386 recoveries and 1,306 deaths. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News