MANILA, Philippines — The vaccine supply in the country as of July 19 can last up to Aug. 17, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the national vaccine manager, said Monday to allay fears of a vaccine shortage.
The country had already reached its “desired stockpile level” of above 10 million vaccine doses, Galvez said during the taped weekly briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte.
“As of now, we have an excess [over the desired level], with 12,826,099 [doses], in which our supply can last up to 32 days — or up to August 17,” Galvez said, speaking partly in Filipino.
“That means, we are confident that up to Aug. 17 we will have no difficulties with a shortage,” he added.
As of July 18, the Philippines has administered 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with over 4.7 million persons already fully vaccinated against the disease.
The country’s highest record of vaccines administered in a day is at more than 391,000. The government is aiming to administer 500,000 doses daily.