Gov’t reviews indemnification deal after Pfizer vaccine delay

The Philippine government is now reviewing the agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech that will ensure compensation for Filipinos who will experience serious side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

“As reported by Sec. Galvez, our vaccine czar, the indemnification agreement with Pfizer is being reviewed by our team and should be finalized in a few days,” National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy implementer Vince Dizon said in a message to reporters.

Galvez earlier said the vaccines could have been delivered as early as Friday if not for the lack of an indemnification law as protection to individuals who will get inoculated.

He also said the delay may be only for a week.

“This will allow us to complete the documents needed for the delivery of the 117,000 Pfizer doses from the COVAX facility,” Dizon said.

The Philippines is expected to receive at least 5.6 million doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines within the first quarter of 2021.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News