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This illustrative studio photograph shows a miniature shopping cart with a syringe and vials that reads “Covid-19 Vaccine” in Paris on January 8, 2021. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines – The House Health Committee on Monday opened its investigation into the national government’s COVID-19 vaccine roadmap as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic.
Quezon District 4 Health Committee Chairperson Angelina “Helen” Tan said the hearing will address the government’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, including the cost of purchased vaccines, as well as their availability for purchase. in the homes.
Tan, however, said that issues possibly subject to confidentiality will be addressed in an executive session.
House of Representatives. File photo of the INQUIRER / Niño Jesus Orbeta
At a Senate hearing last week, vaccine czar Carlito Gálvez Jr., citing confidentiality agreements, refused to reveal the official price offered by the Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac to the government.
Gálvez denied reports that Coronavac, the name for Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine, was the second-most expensive among the administration’s options.
Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. responds to senators’ inquiries during the continuation of the Senate Plenary Committee hybrid hearing on the national government’s COVID-19 vaccination program on Friday, January 15, 2021 (Albert Calvelo / Senate PRIB).
“It is important that we know whether the purchased vaccines are as cost-effective as they are safe and effective,” Tan said in a statement.
“We would also like to ask whether Filipinos will have the opportunity to choose and buy out of pocket the vaccines they choose, and how much they will cost those who choose this option,” he added.
The House of Representatives panel hearing opened hours before the lower house resumed session after its vacation.
Spokesman Lord Allan Velasco has said that the COVID-19 vaccine is among the priority issues of the lower house once it resumes its session.
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