Galvez: Cut in allocation for free COVAX vaccines not a problem for Philippines

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Saturday assured the public that the decrease in the allocation of free coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines from the COVAX facility will not pose a problem to the Philippines, saying the government can still secure additional doses at a reasonable price.

According to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Saturday, the COVAX facility will provide vaccines to 20 percent of the country’s population, of which only 15 percent will be free while the remaining 5 percent will be paid for by the government.

“Walang problema ‘yun, walang setback ‘yun. Kasi ang ano naman natin, we have an agreement na— maganda sa COVAX… we can also buy ‘yung mga brand doon at a very lower price,” Galvez said.

The Department of Health has said that the budget for the five percent of the vaccines has already been secured.

The COVAX facility is a global initiative that seeks equal distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for countries across the globe. -Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM, GMA News