The government is hoping to secure 60 million more doses of coronavirus vaccines in the second and third quarter of 2021 if certain supply deals could be finalized this month.
In a meeting with President Duterte Monday night, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government was in the middle of talks with the Novavax and AstraZeneca vaccine makers to secure supplies for the country.
"Natutuwa po kami, Mr. President, marami pong positive results at ikukuwento po namin sa inyo (We are happy Mr. President. We have many positive results we want to share with you)," Galvez said in his remarks aired on State television Monday.
Galvez informed the President that Serum Institute of India has agreed to provide 30 million doses of vaccines to the Philippines on a "non-profit, no loss concept" where the vaccines will be given at lower cost. "A vaccine shot will cost around $5 or "P500 for two shots," he added.
He said the country representative of the Indian company also assured him that it would not seek cash advance for the country's vaccine acquisition. "Ibig sabihin ‘yung lahat po ng transaction po natin magiging flexible. And he will comply with your guidance na wala pong cash advance (This means all transactions will be flexible and he will comply with your guidance that there will be no cash advance)," he said.
More discussions with the Novavax manufacturer will be held this Wednesday, Galvez said.
"Makakausap po namin siya this coming Dec. 23 at nag-assure po siya na magbibigay po siya ng 30 million doses para po sa atin. Iyon po ay ‘yung Novavax. This is an American brand na gagawin po sa India (We will talk to them this coming Dec. 23 and they have assured it will give 30 million doses to us. That's Novavax. This is an American brand that will be made in India)," he said.
Another supply deal with United Kingdom-based AstraZeneca for an additional 30 million more doses may be finalized within the month if it secures approval from United Kingdom's regulatory authorities, according to Galvez.
The government in partnership with the private sector signed last month a supply deal for 2.6 million vaccine doses from AstraZeneca.
"Hindi po tayo bibitawan ng AstraZeneca (AstraZeneca will not let us go),” Galvez told the President.
"Baka this coming next week, either Dec. 28 o 29, inaantay lang po namin ‘yung -- ‘yung Ministry of Health Regulatory Authorization ng UK at puwede na po naming pirmahan ‘yung ano po, ‘yung kontrata. Ito naman po ay 20 million doses at 10 million doses for LGU at saka po sa ating private sector (Maybe this coming next week, either Dec. 28 or 29, we are just waiting for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Health regulatory authorization and we can sign the contract. This involves 20 million doses and 10 million doses for the local government units and our private sector)," he said.
"So all in all po, kung magkakaroon po tayo ng pirmahan this coming month, mayroon po tayong 60 million for the second quarter at saka third quarter po (So all in all, if we can have the contract signing this month, we will have 60 million for the second quarter and third quarter)," he said.
The government identified P73 billion in funding sources for the acquisition of coronavirus vaccines. The free vaccines will be initially be distributed to around 24.6 million priority beneficiaries including the country's health workers, seniors, poor citizens, and uniformed personnel.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III had earlier said inoculating 60 million Filipinos with the COVID vaccines could be enough to attain herd immunity against the illness.