Duterte asks US for more COVID-19 vaccines: ‘We have the money, we will buy’

FILE PHOTO: Vials labeled “COVID-19 Coronavirus Vaccine” and syringe are seen in front of displayed Johnson & Johnson logo in this illustration taken, Feb. 9, 2021. (REUTERS)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte asked the United States on Monday for more COVID-19 vaccines, saying that the Philippines would be ready to buy excess doses it might have.

In his weekly briefing, Duterte said he would understand if the US would decide to its supply to prioritize the inoculation of their residents first.

“I am just asking America to give us more — if they have it. If there is an excess of supply, please help my country,” Duterte said, speaking partly in Filipino.

“We have the money. We buy, we don’t ask. We saved money for this event,” he added.

In early August, some three million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine donated by the US arrived in the Philippines.

Before that, the US  also donated via the COVAX facility 3.2 million doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine to the Philippines.

ATM