Gov't mulling 3-4 brand limit on future COVID-19 vaccine purchases –DOH

An undersecretary of the Department of Health (DOH) said that the government was looking to limit future procurement of COVID-19 vaccines to just three to four brands.

"Hindi na po tayo bibili, sa aking pagkakaintindi, ng Sputnik vaccine. Alam naman natin na kailangan natin nang i-limit. Masyado nang marami tayong portfolio ng bakuna," DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said during Saturday's Laging Handa briefing.

(As far as I understand, we will no longer purchase the Sputnik vaccine. We need a limit as we have too many vaccine portfolios, and there are some preferences.)

Cabotaje reported that as of Friday, January 28, 60 million people received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 58.6 million people were fully immunized.

"We hope to push that we reach 70 million by at least the end of the first quarter. If earlier, the better," she said.

The government hopes to achieve herd immunity with 77 million vaccinations - about 70% of the population. — DVM, GMA News