Galvez: Philippines proposed allocating P500M for COVID-19 vaccine indemnification fund

The Philippines has proposed a P500 million funding for indemnification of those who will experience adverse effects as a result of getting COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said. 

Galvez made the announcement days after he disclosed that the lack of Vaccine Indemnification Law which would compensate those who will experience adverse effects from getting COVID-19 vaccines have delayed the arrival of 117,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines from COVAX facility—a global effort funding COVID-19 response in aid of countries in need. 

“Ang recommended po ng DOF (Department of Finance) ay P500 million for indemnification,” he said in a press conference during the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (C.O.D.E.) Team visit in Davao City.

“We have submitted this [indemnification proposal] to COVAX, and we are still awaiting details from the lawyers of Pfizer for additional requirements,” Galvez added.

The vaccine czar said that the indemnification agreement would have to be inked with the COVAX facility and each COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer supplying the COVAX facility, including Pfizer-BioNTech. 

“Nire-resolve po natin ito ngayon,” Galvez said.

He added that the passage of the proposed Vaccine Indemnification Law should address the impasse. 

Galvez earlier said that the Philippines will be able to give COVID-19 vaccines to 70 million Filipinos within the year in a best case scenario. —KG, GMA News