By Alec Go
The government is into another round of negotiation with COVID-19 vaccine developer Pfizer-BioNTech to secure 25 to 40 million doses for the Philippines.
This was announced by Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. during a palace briefing on Tuesday, April 13.
“Tinitingnan po natin na baka magkaroon po ito ng kaganapan dahil nagkaroon naman po ng favorable comment ang ating DOJ for the indemnification clause [We are looking for its possible realization since the DOJ (Department of Justice) had a favorable comment for the indemnification clause],” Sec. Galvez said.
He also disclosed that the Philippines will be given 2.4 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses through the COVAX Facility if the bilateral agreements will work out.
“Isa po ito sa pinakamalaki na ibibigay ng Pfizer sa COVAX, at iyan ay magandang balita [This is one of the biggest allocation of Pfizer to COVAX, and that is good news],” he stressed.
Sec. Galvez shared that the COVAX indemnity clause has been signed by him, together with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez.
The delivery for the said vaccines will be on the third and fourth quarter of the year.
Aside from Pfizer, the government is also set to sign the supply agreement with Johnson & Johnson for 6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The contract with Gamaleya Institute is likewise up for completion.
The deliveries and payments are also ongoing with Sinovac Biotech which is set to deliver 25 million doses until the end of the year. As for AstraZeneca, the delivery of vaccines procured by local governments and the private sector will begin next month.
Moreover, the supply agreements with American companies Moderna and Novavax have been signed.
