Some vaccine manufacturers put on hold tripartite agreements for COVID-19 vaccine procurement, National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 Spokesperson Restituto Padilla said on Sunday (Aug. 22).
In a radio interview, Padilla said new bulk orders from different countries are still overwhelmed, prompting international vaccine manufacturers to stop accepting new multi-party agreements.
The said vaccine manufacturers are Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson.
Meanwhile, Padilla assured that the current orders of the national government are enough to fulfill the country’s national vaccination program.
Padilla also mentioned the government’s long-term and medium-term plan of local manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines.
“May long-term at medium-term planning din tayo… Ito ang local manufacturing capability,” Padilla said.
He said the setting-up of the manufacturing areas here will begin next year, as well as the importation of necessary equipment and other capacities to be able to roll out the vaccine manufacturing facilities. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio / CF – bny
