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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider  Dizon: Covid-19 vaccines donated by other countries had no strings attached

 Dizon: Covid-19 vaccines donated by other countries had no strings attached

Published Feb 21, 2023 03:31 pm

There were no strings attached to the donation of Covid-19 vaccines by different countries to the Philippines.

Former Secretary Vince Dizon, former deputy chief implementer of the National Task Force against Covid-19, stressed this when he appeared before a public hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino.

The hearing was based on a resolution regarding the non-disclosure by and/or refusal of the Department of Health (DOH) to release the details of the vaccine procurement contracts on the pretext of a supposedly existing Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Tolentino had observed that the government bought many vaccines from donor countries.

He cited the donation to the Philippines of 4.075 million doses from a Chinese pharmaceutical firm that manufactured Sinovac vaccines but later bought from it 45.6 million doses.

He also said that Pfizer donated 1.432 million doses of vaccines but the Philippines later bought 40 million does from Pfizer.

To his knowledge, Dixon said there were no conditions asked in return by these countries such as China, Australia, the United States and Europe.

Based on his recollection, Dixon said the Philippines asked help from these countries for the supply of vaccines when they began manufacturing these vaccines.

Related Tags

NATIONAL TASK FORCE FOR COVID-19 Vince Dizon Senate blue ribbon committee covid vaccines Francis Tolentino
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