MANILA, Philippines — American drugmaker Pfizer is now in advanced talks with the Philippine government for the supply of its COVID-19 vaccine.
During the Senate hearing on the government’s vaccination plan, vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr. said a term sheet between the Philippines and Pfizer may be signed by next week.
Galvez, however, did not disclose the number of doses that the Philippines may get from Pfizer since the supply agreement is still under negotiation.
“Our target, we will have a term sheet within next week, supposed to be this week but because of the Senate hearing, it was deferred,” Galvez told senators.
At the same hearing, Pfizer Philippines country manager Andreas Riedel said the firm is “very keen” on supplying the Philippines with its vaccine, which is so far the only anti-COVID-19 shot approved for emergency use in the country.
“Pfizer is very keen to partner with the Philippines and ensure that the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is available for use in the country,” Riedel said during the hearing.
“To date, we are in advanced discussions with representatives of the national government on a potential vaccine supply agreement with Pfizer,” he added.
Riedel, meanwhile, welcomed the FDA’s approval of an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s vaccine.
“We commend the FDA and Director-General Eric Domingo for its careful assessment of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine and the timely action to help protect the people of the Philippines,” he said.
Aside from ongoing negotiations with Pfizer, the Philippine government has already secured 25 million doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine, 50,000 of which will arrive by February.
The Philippines also earlier signed a deal with the Serum Institute of India for 30 million doses of the Covovax COVID-19 vaccine, which will be available by the third quarter of 2021.
Meanwhile, 30 million doses of vaccine from British drugmaker AstraZeneca, and 25 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine are set to be acquired by the government.