The Philippine Red Cross was in talks with AstraZeneca and Pfizer to procure COVID-19 vaccines
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Tuesday said that it’s in talks with vaccine makers AstraZeneca and Pfizer in order to procure COVID-19 vaccines that will be sold to Filipinos on a “buy 1, donate 1” scheme.
In an online press conference, PRC chairperson Senator Richard Gordon told reporters that the Philippine Red Cross had written a letter to AstraZeneca and Pfizer to procure some 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Senator Gordon also said that the Philippine Red Cross was set to meet with Pfizer representatives after the press conference.
“It’s [in the] early days. Magdasal tayo na makuha natin,” Senator Gordon said.
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While the Philippine Red Cross has yet to finalize the procurement deal, Senator Gordon said that the non-profit organization had already earmarked some USD 20 million (PHP 961 million) for the said program.
Should the deal push through, Senator Gordon said that PRC frontliners would be among priority recipients of the COVID-19 vaccines, while the rest would be sold to Filipinos who were willing to buy another shot that will be donated to the less fortunate Filipinos.
The price, according to Senator Gordon, would depend on which COVID-19 vaccine will be procured.
“I’m sure many Filipinos would like to do it… We should share our good fortune,” Senator Gordon said.
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While the Philippine Red Cross was still waiting to get its own COVID-19 vaccines, Senator Gordon said that the agency was willing to help the Philippine government in its vaccination program.
Last year, health officials said that the Philippines was planning to buy 2 million COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to endorse the use and sale of any COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines.
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