Free COVAX COVID-19 vaccines limited to 15% of Pinoys –DOH

The Department of Health on Monday said while the COVAX facility will provide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine to 20% of the country’s population, only 15% will be free, while the remaining 5% will be paid for by the government.

“We would like to clarify that we will continue to receive vaccine allocation for 20% of the population from COVAX. Previously this entire 20% was to be provided to us for free,” DOH said in a statement.

“Based on latest developments, only 15% will be free, and the remaining 5% will be paid by the country,” it added.

Meanwhile, DOH said that the budget for the remaining 5% had already been secured.

“Hence, even with these changes in financing, rest assured that there will be no delays in delivery of the vaccines,” the department emphasized.

Earlier, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Philippines would get COVID-19 vaccines for around 22 million people through the COVAX facility.

"Sa COVAX, we are guaranteed [of a COVID-19 vaccine supply] for 20% of our population, but we won’t get it all at the same time. Iyong healthcare workers muna [ang mabibigyan], then second to third quarter of the year na iyong iba," Vergeire said.

"Pero definitely, guaranteed na [good for] 20% percent [ng population] ang makukuha natin na allocation throughout next year. Kung kaunting doses muna ang mabibigay nila, patuloy nila maibibigay iyong iba hanggang matapos ang taon,” she added.

The COVAX initiative is a global collaboration of manufacturers and experts that seeks to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.

COVAX is co-led by the GAVI vaccines alliance, the World Health Organization, and the CEPI Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. It aims to deliver two billion doses of effective, approved COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.

The Philippines had allocated P73.2 billion for the procurement of the vaccines, with P40 billion coming from multilateral agencies, P20 billion from domestic sources, and P13.2 billion from bilateral agreements. — DVM, GMA News