Philippines seeks 3M to 5M share from US’ 80M COVID-19 vaccine surplus —Galvez

The Philippines is seeking to get 3 million to 5 million COVID-19 vaccines from the United States’ 80 million surplus, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Wednesday.

“Kasi alam naman natin na kailangan din ng ibang bansa ang vaccines at nakita natin sa ASEAN region tayo ay pangalawa sa pinakamataas na nagba-vaccinate. Ang ano namin is kung mabigyan po tayo ng 3 to 5 million, maganda na po ‘yon,” Galvez said in an ANC interview.

(We know that other countries also need vaccines and we see that we are number 2 in terms of vaccination in the ASEAN region. What we requested is to get three to five million, so that is already a good agreement.)

He said the US might give their surplus vaccines to the COVAX Facility and the organization will be in charge for its distribution.

Galvez further disclosed that the Philippines specifically requested for AstraZeneca COVID-19 brand as this was not used in the US vaccination program.

“We requested for almost 3 million AstraZeneca and other vaccines, considering that, we know AstraZeneca will not be used in the US, but they have stocks,” he said.

Apart from AstraZeneca, Galvez said that he signed a document which stated that the US might also give Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.

He reiterated that the Philippines is among the “first priority” that will receive the COVID-19 surplus from US.

Last week, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said the Philippines will be among the countries that will receive surplus Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses from the US.

Romualdez said the shipment may arrive as early as June.

He said the Philippines are also expecting vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnsons & Johnsons either in July or August.—AOL, GMA News