PH to secure 148M doses of Covid-19 vaccine in 2021

Galvez added the government expects to secure some 148 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, once the ongoing negotiations push through with these companies. (File photo: Daniel Schludi/Unsplash)

MANILA – The country is now in advanced stages of negotiations with six Covid-19 vaccine developers as it eyes to close deals for 148 million doses, National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Wednesday.

During a Laging Handa public briefing, Galvez said the government has been negotiating with various pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, Novavax, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, and Gamaleya Institute.

“We hope to close the deal with these companies this month,” said Galvez.

Galvez added the government expects to secure some 148 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, once the ongoing negotiations push through with these companies.

Aside from government efforts on the bilateral negotiations, Galvez said the country “stands to receive fully-subsidized doses” for the 20 percent of the country’s population which corresponds to 22 million Filipinos, through the Covax facility.

“This is a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine manufacturers to provide countries worldwide with equitable access to safe and effective vaccines,” he said.

“Based on our current negotiations, we will be able to purchase to at least 148 million doses from more or less seven manufacturers, however, it will be dependent on the global supply,” he continued.

Galvez, meanwhile, said rich countries have already procured 80 percent of the global supply of the Covid-19 vaccine.