THE bio-pharmaceutical firm behind the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine against the deadly virus from Wuhan, China has finally applied for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines, says vaccine czar Carlito Galvez.
In a forum, Galvez said the application was made on Monday through Zuellig Pharma Corp.
“This afternoon Moderna, through Zuellig, has submitted its application,” he announced virtually. No further details were given.
With an application now submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), its director-general Eric Domingo said that it would start its assessment on the vaccines based on the data gathered from the EUA that was secured by Moderna Inc. in the United States and the European Union.
Galvez on Monday said the government has procured some 13 million doses from Moderna for the vaccines, while the private sector ordered 7 million doses.
The supply agreements have been signed for a May delivery, with another 5 million doses up for negotiation.
The Philippine government is looking at inoculating some 50 to 70 million Filipinos this year.