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Senator Grace Poe. Screenshot / file photo of the Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Grace Poe on Friday expressed frustration at the government’s “missed” opportunity to secure delivery of 10 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in January next year.
“It is really tragic and to some extent criminal on their part to have missed the opportunity to acquire 10 million vaccines … We need to vaccinate at least 60 to 70 percent of our population, which is at least 70 million,” Poe said in an interview on CNN Philippines.
“And we are already receiving the 10 million supposedly for January, but because, again… DOH leadership, hesitant, unable to make a decision, unable to give adequate recommendations. We missed it, ”he added.
Poe expressed dismay after it was revealed that the Philippines would have secured the delivery of 10 million doses of Pfizer vaccines in January next year if Duque had worked on the necessary documentary requirements, namely the confidentiality disclosure agreement (CDA). .
“They are saying that the launch, still uncertain, will be in the middle of next year. So how many months from now? People are already fatigued by all these quarantine requirements and restrictions, ”Poe continued.
“The economy is already suffering. How many billions will it cost us to save the health of hundreds and save our ailing economy? “she added.
Poe also lamented that the alleged indecision on the part of the Health Secretary to secure the initial doses for the Philippines has left the country and its path to economic recovery in limbo.
“Imagine, it was acquired and our opportunity to achieve it was given to Singapore because they could act decisively and we cannot,” he added.
With the United States Senate Committee ready to investigate the government’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, Poe said he looks forward to hearing what Duque and other officials have to say regarding the inoculation program.
In a previous television interview, Duque said that Pfizer never promised to provide the Philippine government with 10 million doses of its vaccine following the signing of the CDA between the two parties.
Duque had also previously denied that there was negligence on the part of the DOH.
The health chief, in a separate media forum, also said that negotiation with Pfizer for its vaccines is ongoing and that “there is no such thing as dropping the ball.”
“If you look at the statement, negotiations are ongoing and DOH went through the iteration process,” he said.
JPV
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