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The Philippine government and the private sector have struck a deal with Moderna, Inc. for 20 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine, according to the presidential palace, making it the largest vaccine supply deal in the country to date. .
The government secured 13 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, while private companies led by the president of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), Enrique K. Reason Jr., will receive 7 million doses for their workers, said the Vaccine Czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said in a statement.
“We would also like to thank Mr. Patrick Bergstedt and the entire Moderna Team for keeping up with their commitment to provide 20 million ‘doses of hope’ to 10 million Filipinos,” said Galvez, the country’s chief executor of the pandemic plan.
Galvez said the signing of the tripartite agreement boosts Manila’s goal of having a steady supply of vaccines this year.
“This is part of our goal to vaccinate 70 million of our adult population and recover the economy from the pandemic,” he said.
The government began negotiating with the US-based drug maker after its two-dose vaccine, which has a 94.5% efficacy rate, was licensed for emergency use in the United States.
Moderna, however, has yet to obtain an emergency use authorization from the Manila drug regulator.
“We are honored to be a part of this enormous and noble effort to help our people recover from the impact of the pandemic and catalyze our nation’s return to growth,” said the ICTSI Foundation on behalf of the so-called Modern Vaccine Buyers Group. .
There were no details on which companies are receiving the Moderna vaccines.
In a televised press conference on Friday, Galvez said the country would receive Moderna vaccines in the second quarter, along with some two million vials of vaccines from China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd.
Mass vaccinations will be carried out from May to June, he added.
Galvez previously said Manila would receive at least 1.4 million more doses of Sinovac vaccines this month. Of the total, around 400,000 vials were donated from Beijing and the government paid the rest.
About 900,000 more doses of injections developed by British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, Plc. and secured under a global initiative for equal access to vaccines will also arrive in late March or early April, he said.
Vaccines developed by Novavax, Inc. of the United States, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Pfizer Inc, and the Gamaleya Institute of Russia are also included in the government’s coronavirus vaccine portfolio.
The Health department reported a record 7,103 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. This brought the total number of cases in the Philippines to 648,066.
COMPANIES NOT ALLOWED DIRECTLY IMPORTING VACCINES
Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Domínguez III said in a Viber message on Friday that private companies cannot import COVID-19 vaccines directly due to existing laws and a request from pharmaceutical companies that make the vaccines. .
“[There are] Two reasons [why]: first, pharmacies insist that the government provide compensation, second, [there is] the COVID 19 Vaccination Program Act, “he said when asked if he supports the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) proposal to allow private companies to import vaccines themselves,” he said.
“In addition, the requirement for government compensation from pharmaceutical companies requires government involvement in private sector purchases.”
Republic Law 11525 signed on February 26 allows DOH and the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 to directly purchase vaccines from manufacturers.
For local government units and other entities wanting to purchase vaccines, DOH and NTF are tasked with negotiating on your behalf. – with Beatrice M. Laforga
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