The Philippines can still get its coronavirus vaccine supply from British drugmaker AstraZeneca despite the European Union's export controls since the local order will be sourced outside Europe.
According to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., the 17 million doses of vaccines secured from AstraZeneca will be coming from a manufacturing plant in Thailand.
"Wala po siyang tinatawag nating komplikasyon kasi iyong ating factory ay manggagaling po sa Thailand (There is no complication because it will be coming from a factory in Thailand)," Galvez said during televised press briefing Tuesday.
"Iyong ating in-order po na 17 million (Our 17 million doses ordered) from the private and the LGUs will be coming from the Thailand plant," he added.
Another potential source of the AstraZeneca vaccines will be the Serum Institute of India, according to Galvez. He said the government could forge a "tie-up" with the company to possibly resolve the country's logistical requirement.
"Hindi po tayo maaapektuhan at saka mayroon po tayong ano, maganda po ang ating relasyon po sa Serum Institute of India na mayroon din po siya na AstraZeneca na pinu-produce po doon. Almost 2 billion ang pinu-produce ng Serum Institute of India (We will not be affected and we have a good relationship with Serum Institute of India which also produces almost 2 billion AstraZeneca vaccines)," he said.
Galvez added that his team is scheduled to inspect on Wednesday the capacity of the AstraZeneca's regional distributor.
The European Union earlier introduced export controls on vaccines produced within the bloc amid a row with AstraZeneca over deliveries. The measure reportedly allows EU member states to halt vaccine exports if the company has yet to honor contracts with the bloc. Many countries, including poor nations covered by the COVAX facility, will reportedly exempted from the latest EU regulation.
In a televised address Monday night, President Duterte blasted the European bloc for supposedly taking hostage the COVID vaccine supplies developed by AstraZeneca.
Duterte said the coronavirus supply has become a fight among the highest bidders or those who can pay first. He said the country was not rich but has set aside funds to procure coronavirus vacancies for Filipinos.
AstraZeneca is among the country's suppliers of the coronavirus vaccines. The Philippines is negotiating for 178 million doses of COVID vaccines from various manufacturers that will be good for 92 people, taking into consideration the anticipated delivery shortfalls. The initial shipment of the vaccines is expected to be delivered to the country this month.