Covax to replace 3.6 million doses of expired COVID-19 vaccines —DOH

(FILE) The first batch of 1.6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday, July 16, 2021. Screenshot from PTV

MANILA, Philippines — The Covax Facility will be replacing 3.6 million doses of expired COVID-19 vaccines, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s address to the nation aired Wednesday, Duque said the expired vaccine doses were donated through the Covax Facility, and only composed 1.46 percent of the country’s vaccine supply.

“The Covax Facility, sir, ito po ‘yung conduit ng pag-donate ng mga ibang bansa sa mga bansa katulad natin. ‘Yun pong Covax meron po silang stockpile ng mga bakuna with longer shelf life,” the health chief said when asked who will replace the expired vaccines.

(The Covax Facility, sir, is the conduit of donation among countries. Covax has a stockpile of vaccines with longer shelf life.)

“So, ang gagawin po ‘yung mga nag-expire na sa’tin, umabot na po ng mga 3.6 million doses, which is just about 1.46 percent of our total inventory ng bakuna, so, yes, sir, papalitan po ‘yan. Ire-replace po ng Covax Facility,” he added.

(So, our vaccines that expired reached 3.6 million doses, which is just about 1.46 percent of our total inventory, so, yes, sir, it will be replaced. Covax Facility will replace those.)

Duterte also asked Duque if the government will have to pay for the replacement vaccines.

“Walang cost po. Talagang they will replace po and in fact ang pakiusap ko po, namin ni Secretary Charlie Galvez, na pati ‘yung pinrocure natin kung nag-expire, palitan na rin nila, hindi lang ‘yung donated kundi pati ‘yung procured. We are waiting for their answer, Mr. President,” the health chief answered.

(No cost. They will replace and in fact, I and Secretary Charlie Galvez appealed to them to replace even our procured vaccines when they expire.)

Based on the Department of Health’s figures, 67.4 million individuals are fully immunized against COVID-19 in the country as of April 22.

/MUF