Australia committed to help in Philippines’ COVID-19 response despite vaccine supply delays — envoy

Australia is committed to assist the Philippines’ COVID-19 response amid vaccine supply issues, its envoy to Manila said, adding it is trying its best to ensure speedy delivery of crucial doses to the country currently battling a fresh surge of infections.

Ambassador Steven Robinson said the government of Australia is “trying to do as much as we can within the constraints of the supply that we have” to provide aid as many countries in the region have reached out to them for assistance on excess vaccines.

“Because supply is an issue to all of us, to Australia as it is to the Philippines. So, we’re doing what we can and I’ve got my fingers crossed that something positive will come out,” he told an online briefing Monday evening.

“‘Cause the supply is difficult. You know, to be perfectly frank, every country is up against it at the current time in terms of vaccine supply.”

Robinson assured that Australia, a key donor to the COVAX facility that provides vaccine access to poorer nations, will do its best to ensure the Philippines will receive the COVID-19 doses.

“We recognize that global logistics delay is affecting the delivery and arrival of additional doses in the Philippines, but we’re working hard as we can using our advocacy to unlock these delays,” he said.

Australia, Robinson said, has committed AUD500 million to support access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and to promote health security in the Indo-Pacific, including in the Philippines.

It has also contributed AUD80 million to the COVAX Facility Advanced Market Commitment to deliver vaccines to the most vulnerable.

As vice-chair of the Gavi Vaccine Alliance Board, a global vaccine organization against deadly and infectious diseases, Robinson said Australia successfully advocated for the Philippines to be eligible for COVAX AMC doses, and has pushed for the earliest possible access for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The Philippines has received two shipments totaling 525,600 doses through the COVAX Facility - the second highest number of doses delivered in Southeast Asia, Robinson said. 

Australia, he added, was also able to redirect its AUD80-million development cooperation program to reinforce the Philippine response to the pandemic.

It has also supported the Philippine Red Cross to establish the largest molecular laboratory for COVID-19 testing in the country.

Located at the Port Area in Manila, the laboratory has the capability to test 12,000 samples a day and has significantly contributed to enhancing the testing capacity in the Philippines.

“Australia’s development program in the Philippines is one of our largest in the world. Our development partnership is focused on achieving a more prosperous, stable, and resilient Philippines,” Robinson said.

The Philippines has been grappling with the spike in infections and deaths in recent months that led to the re-imposition of stricter lockdowns in the capital and surrounding areas until mid-May. — RSJ, GMA News