Covid vaccines, where is it?

THE PHILIPPINES continues to negotiate with six Covid-19 vaccine developers and is planning to sign deals for 148 million doses.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government has been negotiating with pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Novavax, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, and Gamaleya Institute. “We hope to close the deal with these companies this month," he said.

Aside from government efforts, Galvez said: “We stand 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.”

“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 added.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the vaccine rollout of the government is badly needed. He said it is high time the Department of Health (DOH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) show a sense of urgency in procuring the Covid vaccines.

Lacson said the DOH and FDA should exercise their power to issue compassionate special permits especially for those who most need them. “Why don’t they exercise their power to issue a compassionate special permit? Their officials keep claiming they are still conducting studies. Mamamatay tayo sa ka-study eh. We have to start the rollout of the vaccines soonest. Kahiya-hiya ang nangyayari sa atin,” he said.

He said it is shameful that the prospective entry of vaccines to the Philippines stemmed from the initiative of the private sector instead of the government. 

“Isn’t it disgusting that the private sector is taking the lead to bring in vaccines? This should put the government to shame, especially considering that the Department of Finance has announced multimillion-peso loans for vaccines. Nakailang loan na tayo sa vaccine, bakit hanggang ngayon wala pang vaccine?” he asked, stressing the priority now is to focus on the immunization of 110 million Filipinos. 

Despite government negotiations, Covid vaccines smuggled into the country found its way to the members of the Presidential Security Group, some Cabinet officials and even 100,000 Chinese POGO (Philippines Offshore Gaming Operators) workers. But Galvez remains silent about the entry and the illegal use of the vaccines. (Lade Jean Kabagani, Mindanao Examiner)

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