The Philippines was looking to secure 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in December, according to vaccine czar Galvez.
Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday night said that the Philippine government was looking to secure 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for the 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2021 if negotiations with vaccine makers bear fruit this December.
Galvez said in a nationally-televised briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte that vaccine makers agreed on a “non-profit, no loss” concept in which COVID-19 vaccines would be supplied to the Philippines at lower prices.
According to Galvez, the Serum Institute of India – the vaccine maker of Novavax – assured that it wouldn’t request a cash advance for the country’s purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
“‘Di po sila hihingi ng cash advance. Ibig sabihin, lahat po ng transaction natin magiging flexible. We will comply with your guidance na wala pong cash advance,” Galvez said.
READ ALSO | Locsin: 30M Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Assured To PH
Galvez also confirmed DFA Sec. Teodoro “Teddy” Locsin’s statement saying that the Serum Institute of India assured the Philippines 30 million doses of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.
Moreover, the vaccine czar said that the Philippine government may sign a contract with AstraZeneca next week for the purchase of 30 million vaccine doses as they’re waiting for the British ministry of health regulatory authorization.
“Kung magkakaroon po ng pirmahan this coming month, mayroon po tayong 60 million for the second and third quarter,” he added.
The Philippines already had allocated PHP 73.2 billion for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, with PHP 40 billion coming from multilateral agencies, PHP 20 billion from domestic sources, and PHP 13.2 billion from bilateral agreements.
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