Philippine Red Cross in talks with Pfizer, AstraZeneca for 'buy 1, donate 1' COVID-19 vaccine program

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is at the negotiating table with Pfizer and AstraZeneca for its plan to roll out a "buy one, donate one" COVID-19 vaccine program in the country, its chairman Senator Richard Gordon said on Tuesday.

"Ang target namin initially is one million. Pero sinabi ko nga sa AstraZeneca 'di naman namin magagawa agad 'yan. Siguro mga 200,000 to 250,000 magawa namin kaagad," Gordon told reporters in an online interview.

"Ang dream ko diyan, halimbawa magdo-donate ako isa pero bakunahan niyo na rin ako. One is to one... Halimbawa ako, nagpaturok ako, mag-sponsor ako ng iba rin," he added.

The senator said the PRC is still studying the possible cost of an anti-COVID-19 shot under this program but he added that it would most likely be less than P1,500.

Asked about the target date to launch the said immunization program, Gordon said: "It might take a little bit more [time]. We're not there yet. I have to talk to them how fast can they deliver it."

He added that the humanitarian organization is also willing to help in the government's immunization program, in terms of manpower, once a COVID-19 vaccine is made available in the country. -MDM, GMA News