Philippines coordinating with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers in US -ambassador

The Philippines has expressed interest in availing the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by US drugmakers, Manila’s Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said Tuesday.

Romualdez said the embassy talked to pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson as well as biotechnology company Moderna regarding the matter.

“Nagli-linya na tayo na ‘pag once it’s available for export, nandiyan na tayo,” the ambassador said in a televised briefing.

“This is a full cooperation of all countries, bonding together once this vaccine is available. Maraming umaasa diyan sa vaccine na iyan.”

Last month, Manila’s Ambassador to London Antonio Lagdameo said the Philippines was interested in the experimental coronavirus vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

The vaccine candidate has been deemed safe and produced an immune response in early-stage clinical trials.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday committed to do everything he can, including securing loans and selling state assets, to get hold of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Philippines has so far reported 68,898 COVID-19 cases, with 1,835 deaths and 23,072 recoveries.—AOL, GMA News