The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines will arrive in the Philippines in the third week of February, according to the National Task Force Against COVID-19.
This was revealed by the task force and the Department of Health (DOH) in the Senate on Monday, where they detailed the “National COVID-19 Vaccination Program” or the roadmap on vaccination.
According to them, 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from 7 manufacturers will be given to 50 to 70 million Filipinos by 2021.
But since other Asian countries have already received vaccines, the senators were not immediately convinced.
But vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez explained this is because most of the supplies went to rich countries.
“Eighty percent of global supply has gone to rich countries,” he said.
But he insisted that the first batch of vaccines is expected to arrive in the Philippines on February 20 and that vaccinations will start immediately.
Also read: Manila signs deal with AstraZeneca for 800K COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccine supply that the Philippines will definitely get:
- 25 million doses – Sinovac (China)
- 30 million doses – Covovax (India)
- 2.5 million doses – AstraZeneca (UK)
This is in addition to the at least 2.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine available on the private sector initiative.
According to Health Sec. Francisco Duque III, DOH, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and local government units will compile an online master list of vaccines.
They will be given their own QR code.
Vaccination teams will also be formed, led by a doctor, and teams who will monitor for vaccine reactions.
COVID-19 vaccination Priority list
- 1st priority: frontline health workers
- 2nd priority: indigent senior citizens
- 3rd priority: remaining senior citizens
- 4th priority: remaining indigent population
- 5th priority: uniformed personnel (PNP, AFP, PCG, BFP, CAFGU)
The FDA, on the other hand, clarified that the agreement of the LGUs with the pharmaceutical companies for the purchase of the vaccine would still go through the national government and the LGUs cannot transact directly with supplier.
The controversy involving the Presidential Security Group over the unauthorized injection of the COVID-19 vaccine was not discussed in the hearing.