The Philippines has secured 30 million doses of Novavax COVID-19 vaccines which will boost the supply for the national vaccination program, VACCINE CZAR Carlito Galvez Jr. confirmed Tuesday.
The official recently went to India to negotiate the procurement of the American-developed vaccine which will be manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
“Doon napirmahan namin ang supply agreement kung saan ang Serum Institute of India ay magsu-supply ng 30 million doses ng Novavax sa ating bansa, most likely third o fourth quarter (We signed the supply agreement wherein the Serum Institute of India will supply 30 million doses of Novavax to our country, most likely on the third or fourth quarter),” Galvez confirmed.
The emergency use authorization (EUA) of the vaccine is expected to be issued by regulators in the United States and in the Philippines. Aside from Novavax, the arrival of 1.4 million more doses of Sinovac vaccines is being anticipated, 400,000 of which are donations coming in on March 24 at the earliest and one million procured doses on March 28.
“Baka dumating ang second tranche ng COVAX na more or less 900,000 this coming either late March or early April (The second tranche more or less 900,000 doses from COVAX may arrive this coming either late March or early April),” Galvez added.
At least 525,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines were initially delivered in the country from the COVAX Facility to be administered to healthcare workers as the top priority of the vaccine rollout.
The vaccine deal with Johnson & Johnson is now in the phase of reviewing the final draft of the supply agreement, while an EUA is being awaited for the procurement of 5 to 10 million Sputnik V of Russia’s Gamaleya.
More vaccines are expected to arrive in the coming months to cover the senior citizen and indigent population as promised by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Beginning late April and May, mayroon tayong additional doses na makukuha, especially sa ating procurement. Nakikita nating sapat talaga na naka-allocate sa mga mahihirap (Beginning late April and May, we will get additional doses, especially from our procurement. We are seeing that the allocation is enough for the poor),” Galvez assured. “Easing out” of supply is possible come May and June, he concluded. – AG, PTV News Online
