AMID recent scientific findings raising doubt on the potency of China-made vaccines, the government is now haggling to buy some 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from American drug firm Pfizer-BioNTech.
“Natutuwa po kami sa Pfizer on their commitment… kasi we are negotiating 20 million to 40 million doses po ito,” vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez, while acknowledging the crucial role of Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babes” Romualdez.
He likewise hinted at the most recent statement issued by the United States, which promised to provide excess doses to ally countries.
“Nakita po namin by July 4, once na matapos ang inoculation sa US, sinabi naman po ng US they would spare some of their excess doses to their allied countries,” added Galvez who hinted on materializing the deal by mid-year.
Romualdez earlier said that Pfizer and Moderna will be able to deliver their COVID-19 vaccines to the country “not too far away from now” as vaccine supplies are already stabilizing.
“Over and above sa bilateral natin ay magkakaroon tayo sa COVAX, ibig sabihin pag nag-succeed tayo sa COVAX, we will also succeed to have some excess dosage from Pfizer through donations from our other ally countries,” he added.