194K doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in May —Galvez

Some 194,000 doses of American pharmaceutical firm Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine are expected to arrive in the Philippines in May, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Tuesday.

“It is expected to arrive 194,000, most likely this coming May,” Galvez said in an interview with ANC.

This is part of the 13 million Moderna vaccine doses ordered by the Philippine government and the seven million ordered by the private sector.

However, the prioritization on its distribution—regardless if procured by the government or the private sector—will be decided by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG).

“The private sector agreed that they will follow the [World Health Organization-Strategic Advisory Group of Experts] and the [Department of Health’s] NITAG prioritization,” Galvez added.

The Philippine government, along with the private sector representative Enrique Razon, earlier signed a tripartite agreement with Moderna.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday said it is still waiting for Moderna’s application for an emergency use application for their COVID-19 vaccine.—AOL, GMA News