COVID-19 CRISIS

Moderna filed for Philippine EUA, says Galvez

Moderna Inc. has filed its application for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. announced on Monday.

During the Sulong Pilipinas Forum,  Galvez said the application was made on Monday through Zuellig Pharma Corp.

"This afternoon Moderna, through Zuellig, has submitted its application," he announced virtually. No further details were given.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this month said it was just waiting for Moderna to file an EUA for its COVID-19 vaccine.

FDA Director General Dr. Eric Domingo said since Moderna vaccine already secured EUAs in the United States and the European Union, the FDA could quickly assess the vaccines based on the data already gathered.

Galvez on Monday said the government has procured some 13 million doses from Moderna for the vaccines, while the private sector ordered 7 million doses.

The supply agreements have been signed for a May delivery, with another 5 million doses up for negotiation.

Galvez in January said the Philippines targets to vaccine some 50 to 70 million Filipinos this year, but several agencies have expressed doubts that this will be achieved.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) estimates the country's population at 109.947 million. —KBK, GMA News