Some COVID-19 vaccine makers want blanket immunity, says Galvez

Some manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines have been asking for blanket immunity from suit in case recipients of the doses develop severe side effects, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Wednesday.

Galvez said three more agreements on COVID-19 vaccines were being polished in terms of indemnity provisions to ensure compensation for individuals who develop serious side effects.

“Actually, ‘yun talaga ang medyo tedious kasi talagang ang gusto po talaga ng ibang mga manufacturer full blanket," Galvez said in the weekly briefing chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Absolution?" Duterte asked. "Opo, kasama po doon," Galvez said.

Galvez said he was wary of willful neglect and malpractice on the part pharmaceutical firms.

“Dapat malaman po ng mamayan at saka ng mga manufacturers na this state cannot waive ‘yung tinatawag na blanket immunity na ang ano po natin na malpractices atsaka willful neglect,” Galvez said.

“Kasi unfair po sa atin na sa isang manufacturer na isu-surrender po natin ‘yun dahil parang pag ka… may mangyari na meron silang malpractices, parang kawawa naman po ‘yung ating mamayan na talagang mahihirapan na makapag-ano po ng indemnity,” he added.

The Senate has approved on second and third reading the measure seeking to expedite the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines and establish a vaccine P500-million indemnity fund.

The House of Representatives has adopted the Senate measure.

Even with an indemnity fund, however,  Galvez said negotiations should be fair.

“Dapat fair and square sa negotiation table. It is fair for us na dapat ilaban natin sa manufacturer na kailangan fair din po sila na kailangan i-maintain din po nila ‘yung specification na required na de-deliver nila sa vaccine is safe and effective,” Galvez said.

“Kung ano po ‘yung inorder natin, dapat po ayun ang ibigay nila,” he added. -NB, GMA News