Belgian gov't assures availability of Pfizer, J&J vaccines for PHL, other non-EU countries

The government of Belgium has assured the public that COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in the European country will be made available to the Philippines and other countries.

In a note verbale, through its embassy in Manila, the Belgian government disclosed a new procedure that pharmaceutical firms will have to take when requesting a license to export COVID-19 vaccines outside of the European Union.

According to the Belgian government, securing an export license will enhance transparency in vaccine delivery and will be required until March 31, 2021.

Belgium is the home of the production facilities of some of the world’s most renowned pharmaceutical companies, including those manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Janssen.

The Belgian government said it would "spare no effort to ensure that within the framework of this new procedure, these companies will be able to fulfil their contractual obligations towards third countries and the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines will not be interrupted."

Companies can electronically submit a request to the Federal Public Service Economy, SMEs, Middle Classes and Energy via the e-mail address becovid@economie.fgov.be.

The requesting company will receive a decision on the granting of an export license within 72 hours after the submission of a complete request. -MDM, GMA News