Philippines seeks 148 million COVID-19 pictures this year for two-thirds of population
07 January, 2021
The Philippines is negotiating with seven vaccine makers to procure at least 148 million COVID-19 shots since it seeks to inoculate close to two-thirds of its population this season, a senior official said on Wednesday (Jan 6).
Carlito Galvez, a former general responsible for the country's technique to fight the coronavirus, said the federal government hopes to close deals with Novavax, Moderna, AstraZeneca , Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac Biotech and the Gamaleya Institute this month, although availability is actually a problem amid stiff competition.
"We will be able to acquire at least 148 million doses from seven suppliers. However, which will be dependent on global supply," Galvez told a press briefing.
Wealthier nations had already snapped up 80 % of available doses, he reported, without providing a source for the info.
The Philippines had earlier targeted 80 million doses and even though it has been talking with vaccine-manufacturers for months, the united states has secured only 2.6 million doses, from Britain's AstraZeneca, paid for by a private sector group, that may give half of these to their employees.
AstraZeneca on Wednesday requested an emergency make use of its COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines.
The country are certain to get subsidised doses for 23 million of its people through the global vaccine partnership known as COVAX, Galvez added.
Healthcare employees, elderly, soldiers, police, teachers and government employees will be prioritised in a good rollout that could begin as soon as the 1st quarter, he said.
Philippine regulators possess yet to approve any COVID-19 vaccines and information of President Rodrigo Duterte's security detail appearing inoculated in September offers caused a great uproar among activists and lawmakers.
Duterte has promised safe and sound, effective and no cost vaccines for all 108 million people, Galvez said.
The Philippines has recorded 480,737 infections and 9,347 deaths because of the coronavirus.
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