The Philippine government plans to give COVID-19 vaccines to 20 up to 30 million Filipinos annually within five years, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
In a public briefing on Wednesday, Galvez said that the government aims to vaccinate 60 million to 70 million Pinoys in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will do this in a three to five years period kasi po kaya lang natin mapa-vaccinate is more or less 20 to 30 million a year,” Galvez said.
“At the same time, titingnan po natin talaga rin na kung alin po ang safe at effective na vaccine,” he added.
For the best-case scenario, he said the mass vaccination would be launched either by the second quarter of 2021 or by the middle of 2021.
“Though, meron tayong clinical trial this coming December. Inaasahan po natin ‘yung mga result kasi ng regulatory board natin sa Food and Drug Administration baka matapos po ‘yun first quarter,’” he added.
Meanwhile, for the worst-case scenario, Galvez added that the mass vaccination would start by the end of 2021 or early 2022.
Last week, Galvez Jr. said the Philippines would be assured of getting 30 to 50 million COVID-19 vaccines from drugmakers in China, United Kingdom, and the United States within the month.
Galvez: Gov’t targets to vaccinate at least 20M Filipinos annually for 5 years
However, Galvez said he could not disclose the price of the
COVID-19 vaccine due to a confidentiality disclosure agreement between the Philippines and the manufacturers.
Galvez said that the Philippines is assured of 17 million of the 50 million COVID-19 vaccine supply from the
COVAX facility.
“Iyong sa
COVAX naman po, earliest in May, June [2021], at mas maraming supply by the third and fourth quarter, even 2022,” he added.
However, an official from the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) said 50 million COVID-19 vaccines are not enough to give
herd immunity as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In an interview with Unang Hirit on Wednesday, PFV director Dr. Lulu Bravo said if the vaccination requires two doses, the initial supply could only cover 25 million out of the over 100 million Filipinos.
WHO experts advised the vaccination of 65% to 70% of a population to achieve herd immunity.
