The Philippine government aims to complete the COVID-19 vaccination of all healthcare workers nationwide this March.
Vaccine Czar and National Force on COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said the goal is in accordance with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Ang pagkakasabi po ng pangulo natin, sabi niya, huwag lang mag-concentrate sa isang area. Kailangan po lahat, walang maiiwan, walang iwanan (The president said we shouldn’t concentrate in one area. It should include everyone and no one shall be left behind),” Galvez relayed.
“Ang pagkakaalam ko, this coming March 3 to 4, ita-transport na nila sa Cebu, and then also this coming March 5 to 6, ita-transport naman nila doon sa Davao (What I know is the vaccines will be transported to Cebu this coming March 3 to 4, and to Davao this coming March 5 to 6),” he added.
The government is still negotiating with other vaccine developers such as Moderna the supply agreement of which is nearing finalization, Johnson & Johnson which recently received US FDA approval for its vaccine, and Novavax.
“’Yung Novavax, pagpunta po namin sa India this coming March 9 to 12, pipirma rin po kami ng supply agreement (As for Novavax, we will go to India this coming March 9 to 12 to sign the supply agreement),” Galvez disclosed.
“Hinihintay din natin ang ating FDA sa Gamaleya sa Sputnik V para at least ang ating tripartite agreement with the LGU ay magsimula na rin po (We are also waiting for our FDA regarding the Sputnik V developed by Gamaleya so we could begin the tripartite agreement with LGUs),” he added.
The Philippines is also set to procure one million more doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine this month.
Meanwhile, presidential and IATF-EID Spokesperson Harry Roque announced in a separate statement the possible arrival of more vaccines from another Chinese manufacturer.
“It has been filed, they have already filed with the FDA an application for EUA for Sinopharm vaccine,” Roque said. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
