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The government promises 60 million doses of vaccines next year
Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) – December 18, 2020 – 12:00 am
MANILA, Philippines – The government reassured the public that the Philippines will be able to obtain a supply of the coronavirus vaccine, equivalent to 60 million doses, by mid-2021.
The head of implementation of the National Task Force and vaccine czar, Carlito Gálvez Jr., gave the assurance to President Duterte after a meeting with the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) the other night.
The government is considering supply deals with AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Sinovac, which could generate a combined supply of 60 million doses to the country.
“We now have more than 60 million doses. These will be available by 2021 because they will come in tranches … they will start manufacturing once the contracts are signed, ”said Gálvez, noting that after signing, it would take three to six months to manufacture the vaccines.
“We anticipate that most of it will arrive in May, June and July, which would also include vaccines from the COVAX facility,” he added.
In addition to western pharmaceutical groups, Galvez said the Philippines is also receiving supplies from Moderna and Sinopharm. The Russian Gamaleya vaccine is also on the country’s list.
He also said that the vaccines developed by China and Russia are expected to be available for the Philippines in the first quarter of next year.
Meanwhile, the executive secretary, Salvador Medialdea, reiterated during the meeting that the government has sufficient funds to buy the vaccines that would be delivered free of charge to the marginalized sector.
“Mr. President … I would like to reiterate what the secretary (Carlos) Domínguez declared several days ago that he has the money to support — to continue the free — the free trial for the marginalized sector while the vaccine is not yet available, ”He said, referring to the finance chief.
“And we know that this will be spent properly because we are following a system that was previously shown here by Secretary Gálvez,” he added.
Medialdea asked the public for understanding and patience, as the government is doing everything possible to obtain the supply of vaccines.
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