Galvez apologizes for delay in arrival of COVID-19 vaccines

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. has apologized to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. for the delay in the arrival of vaccines against COVID-19, according to Ian Cruz's report on Balitanghali on Friday.

Galvez and Abalos were at the inspection of Pateros' preparedness in the impending vaccination.

The report said Galvez is not sure if the arrival of the first batch of vaccines, initially expected on the second week of February, will even push through within the month.

The first batch was supposed to be from Pfizer and part of the World Health Organization (WHO)-led COVAX facility.

Galvez was quoted in the report as saying that negotiations are ongoing for the delivery of the vaccines. 

Galvez earlier this month said the delivery of vaccines COVAX facility will be delayed by a week due to the absence of an indemnification law in the country.

WHO said the delivery of 117,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines under the COVAx facility will happen two weeks after the Philippines and Pfizer-BioNTech sign an indemnification agreement.

—KBK, GMA News