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The Philippine government intends to borrow $ 300 million for the purchase of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine, President Rodrigo Duterte said after reports that a vaccine developed by Pfizer and the German partner BioNTech was 90 percent effective.
“Nandito na ang bakuna (The vaccine is here). It would not be nice to assume that there is a black market for that, but [Finance Secretary Carlos] ‘Son’ [Dominguez 3rd] He said he can borrow money for $ 300 million. That’s great. We can buy
(That’s big [money]. We can buy), ”the president said Monday night.
Duterte had said that he wanted all Filipinos to be vaccinated against Covid-19, but that he was not willing to shoulder the inoculation of those who can afford it.
He reiterated that the poor will be a priority.
The president assured the public that money to buy the vaccine would not be a problem.
“Just get vaccinated. When? Let’s hope. Money? We can borrow immediately. The offer is the problem. Who is your country that invented, will naturally give priority to its people (They will vaccinate you. When? Hopefully. Financing? We can borrow. The problem is supply. Whichever country invents a vaccine, of course the people there will get vaccinated first). That is the reality of life, ”he said.
“So the vaccine is close. There is hope for humanity, ”Duterte added.
The Philippine Ambassador to the United States, José Manuel Romualdez, previously said that Pfizer would secure the supply of the Covid-19 vaccine to the Philippines once its distribution is approved.
Pfizer would likely start production this year and prioritize the United States in distribution, he added.
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