2.3M Pfizer vaccines via COVAX arriving ‘not later than June’ — Galvez

FILE PHOTO: A vial and sryinge are seen in front of a displayed Pfizer logo in this illustration taken January 11, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will receive some 2.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer via the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility “not later than June,” vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Thursday.

“Ito po ang isang magandang balita, binigyan po tayo ng letter ng COVAX at Gavi na meron daw po tayong matatanggap na 2,355,210 na COVAX Pfizer [vaccines],” Galvez said in an online Palace briefing.

(We have one good news, COVAX and Gavi gave us a letter that we will receive 2,355,210 doses of Pfizer vaccines.)

“Based doon sa sulat po na galing sa COVAX at saka sa Gavi, not later than June,” he further said when asked when the vaccines are set to arrive.

(Based on the letter from the COVAX and Gavi, it will not be later than June.)

Galvez said this already includes the 117,000 doses of Pfizer jabs that were supposed to arrive in mid-February.

“Yes, mas lumaki lang yung delivery,” Galvez said.

(Yes, the amount for delivery just increased.)

The delivery of 117,000 doses faced delays due to issues regarding the indemnification agreement, in which the Philippines supposedly gave assurance to drug manufacturers that the government will assume responsibility should vaccine recipients experience adverse effects.

Previously, the Philippines already received 525,000 doses of AstraZeneca from the COVAX facility in two tranches on March 4 and 7.

EDV