(AFP-Yonhap via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network)
MANILA, Philippines — American drug firm Moderna will likely submit its application for an emergency use authorization (EUA) fr its COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines this week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Monday.
“Yun naman pong Moderna ang balita po namin, maga-apply pa lang this week ng EUA dito po sa atin,” FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said in an interview over Teleradyo.
(In the case of Moderna, we were informed that it would apply for an EUA this week.)
“Di pa po sila naga-apply, linggo-linggo naman po tinatanong namin sila kung pwede na silang mag-submit, kinukumpleto pa daw nila so baka this week pa daw po sila maga-apply,” he added.
(They have yet to apply, every week we always ask them if they are ready to submit their application, they said they are still completing the requirements, so maybe this week they will apply.)
“Baka rin po kasi hindi pa rin sila that ready na mag-supply sa atin, yan din naman po ang mga dahilan ng ibang mga kumpanya,” the FDA chief pointed out.
(Maybe they are still not ready for the delivery of the supply, that’s also the reason given by other companies.)
“Kung mag-apply naman po sila ngayon, definitely matatapos naman natin ng evaluation bago mag-May,” he also said.
(If they apply now, we can complete the evaluation before May.)
Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo (INQUIRER.net file photo)
The Philippine government and the private sector earlier signed a tripartite agreement with Moderna to secure 20 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine.
Under the agreement, the Philippine government secured 13 million doses of the Moderna vaccines while the private sector ordered 7 million doses for its workers.
Aside from the 20 million doses already secured, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said that the government has also placed an order for an additional 5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine.
Previously, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Romualdez said the first batch of Moderna’s vaccine may arrive by the end of May or the early part of June this year.