More coronavirus vaccines are forthcoming amid the government’s efforts to lock in supplies from manufacturers abroad.

The Philippines is set to ink a supply agreement with Novavax for 30 million doses of vaccines on Wednesday, March 10, to boost the country’s stocks of the life-saving drug.

The government started its vaccination campaign on March 1, giving free inoculations to around 35,669 health workers so far. The government aims to inoculate 70 million people to achieve herd immunity.

“Pipirma na rin bukas ika-10 ng Marso ng supply agreement with Novavax — 30 million po ‘yan (A supply agreement with Novavax will be signed on March 10 — that’s 30 million doses),” Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday, March 9.

Roque, however, could not yet disclose the cost of the Novavax vaccines until the supply agreement has been signed. The vaccines made by the US drug manufacturer has reportedly shown an efficacy rate of 89 percent based on clinical trials.

Apart from imminent supply from Novavax, the country can also expect additional vaccines from other suppliers.

Roque disclosed that the government has signed a purchase order for 1 million doses of vaccines developed by Sinovac. At least P700 million have been set aside for the procurement of these vaccines, he said. "Sinovac payable seven days prior to delivery," he added.

A supply agreement with Moderna Inc. for 13 million doses has also been inked by the government. An additional 7 million doses of Moderna vaccines have been secured by the private sector.

Roque said a supply agreement with Johnson & Johnson is “still in progress.”

Another 17 million COVID-19 doses from AstraZeneca have been purchased under the tripartite deal with private sector and local government units. The payment of 70 percent of the 17 million doses, or 11.9 million, at US$5 per dose has been made. The remaining balance will be paid prior to delivery, according to Roque.

So far, the country has received 1.125 million doses of coronavirus vaccines — 600,000 Sinovac vaccine doses donated by China and 525,600 AstraZeneca doses from the Wold Health Organization-led COVAX facility. Galvez said an additional 20 million doses of vaccines are expected to arrive in the country in the second quarter of the year.

At present, only three coronavirus vaccines have been given emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration in the Philippines. These are the vaccines made by Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac.