The Philippines and British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca are set to sign a contract for 20 million Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine doses on December 28 or 29.
The news was confirmed by Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s weekly address. According to him, they are only waiting for the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Health Regulatory Authorization to finalize the said contract.
“Hinihintay lang naming ‘yung Ministry of Health Regulatory Authorization ng UK at pwede na po naming pirmahan ang kontrata. Ito naman ay 20 million doses, at 10 million doses for LGU at saka po sa ating private sector. So all in all po kung magkakaroon ng pirmahan this coming month, mayroon po tayong 60 million for the 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter (We are only waiting for the UK’s Ministry of Health Regulatory Authorization and then we can sign the contract. This includes 20 million doses, 10 million doses for LGUs and the private sector. So all in all, if we ever proceed with the signing this coming month, we have 60 million [doses] for the 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter).”
Sec. Galvez also assured that the Philippines will receive at least 30 million vaccine doses from the American brand made in India Novavax. – PTV News
