PH to have ‘a few’ vaccine supply deals inked by end-February

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government would likely have supply agreements signed with vaccine manufacturers by the end of the month, Senator Sonny Angara said Tuesday.

Angara, chair of the Senate finance committee, said this while sponsoring a bill expediting the procurement and administration of Covid-19 vaccines in the country.

During the interpellation of Senate Bill No. 2057 in plenary, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon asked why the national government has yet to sign supply agreements with any vaccine firm.

READ: Bill expediting purchase, administration of COVID-19 jabs reaches Senate plenary

“I’ve been told that the term sheets or the offers are live or are valid until the end of February to close these agreements,” Angara said after consulting with vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., who was seated behind him.

In response to this, Drilon then asked his colleague if this would mean that the government would have supply agreements signed before the end of February.

“Yes, we will have a few by the end of February,” Angara said.

Along with other senators, Drilon expressed concern over the absence of a signed supply agreement between the government and manufacturers.

READ: Pressure mounts on gov’t to complete vaccine deals

It was also disclosed earlier in the plenary session that local government units (LGUs) and the private sector already have perfected vaccine deals. Private firms already made a 50-percent down payment for 6 million doses.

READ: Unlike gov’t, LGUs and private firms already have ‘perfected’ Covid-19 jabs deals

The government targets to roll out its Covid-19 mass immunization program within the first quarter of the year, eyeing to vaccinate at least 70 million Filipinos to achieve herd immunity and significantly arrest the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, which causes the potentially fatal respiratory illness.

The country needs at least 140 million doses of the new coronavirus vaccines to inoculate 70 million Filipinos this year and achieve herd immunity.

Earlier, Galvez said the government has already secured 108 million doses through a “term sheet” with different vaccine makers.

READ: Up to 108 million Covid-19 vaccine doses already secured–Galvez