Philippines looking to lock up 60M doses of COVID-19 vaccine in December

The Philippines is looking to secure 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for the second and third quarter of 2021 if negotiations with manufacturers bear fruit this month, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Monday night.

In a nationally televised briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte, Galvez said pharmaceutical companies agreed on a “non-profit, no loss” concept in which  COVID-19 vaccines would be supplied at lower prices.

He said the Serum Institute of India assured it will not request a cash advance for the Philippines’ purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.

“‘Di po sila hihingi ng cash advance. Ibig sabihin, lahat po ng transaction natin magiging flexible. We will comply with your guidance na wala pong cash advance,” Galvez said.

He said the Indian vaccine manufacturer assured the Philippines 30 million doses of Novavax vaccine against COVID-19.

Moreover, Galvez said the Philippine government may sign next week a contract with AstraZeneca for the purchase of 30 million vaccine doses.

“Hinihintay lang po namin ‘yong ministry of health regulatory authorization ng UK at puwede na po nating pirmahan ‘yong kontrata,” he said.

“Kung magkakaroon po ng pirmahan this coming month, mayroon po tayong 60 million for the second and third quarter,” he added.

The Philippines had already allocated P73.2 billion for the procurement of the vaccines, with P40 billion coming from multilateral agencies, P20 billion from domestic sources, and P13.2 billion from bilateral agreements. -NB, GMA News