Worried about a COVID-19 vaccine? Can the Philippines secure a COVID-19 vaccine?

Here's all you need to know about where and when we can get COVID-19 vaccines, who will be among those vaccinated first, and how much it will cost.

1. Where can we get a vaccine?

Based on vaccine czar and National Task Force Chief Implementor Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.’s report to President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night, the Philippines is eyeing at least three to four vaccines for use in the Philippines with the earliest coming in the second quarter of next year.

The three vaccines, in order of stages of negotiations, are:

1. AztraZeneca from the United Kingdom; 
2. Sinovac from China; and
3. Pfizer from the US.

Galvez said through the Food and Drug Administration, a memorandum of understanding can be signed with AstraZeneca as early as end of November, with the company committing at least 20 million doses.

The United Kingdom also gave assurance it will help the Philippines with the rollout of the vaccine by sending its soldiers. Rollout could be simultaneous with that of the United Kingdom. Earliest best case scenario is second quarter of next year.

AztraZeneca has reported up to 90% efficacy against COVID-19, Pfizer at 95%, while Sinovac is being used in China on an emergency basis.

From these three sources alone, Galvez said the Philippines could come up with 60 million vaccines that will be enough to trigger a herd immunity in the Philippines according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

The Philippines is also in talks with Russia’s Gamaleya Institute and US’ Johnson and Johnson.

2. How soon can we get a vaccine? 

As early as second quarter of next year, according to Galvez.

The Philippines is in advance talks with AztraZeneca. A memorandum of understanding could be signed as early as end of November.

3. Who will get the vaccine? 

Galvez said individuals from areas that are highly infected by COVID-19 will be vaccinated first.

He mentioned the National Capital Region, Davao, Cebu, and Bacolod initially.

In these highly infected areas, people from the poorest of the poor under the 4Ps beneficiary list will be vaccinated first, followed by other sectors like healthcare workers, the police and the military.

Duterte emphasized the need to prioritize the military and the police, saying he needs them to be healthy. The police and the military along with barangay officials will help in the rollout of the vaccine.

The government has promised to vaccinate all Filipinos for free.

In previous “Talk to the Nation Addresses,” Galvez said big corporations are also making efforts to secure vaccines for their employees and donate a sizeable chunk to the government.

4. How much will the vaccines cost?

According to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the vaccines will cost about P73 billion.

He’s pegging it at $25 dollars per Filipino or at P1,200 per Filipino for 60 million Filipinos.

Vaccinating 60 million Filipinos is enough to trigger herd immunity, according to Duque, which is simply having more people immune to COVID-19 effectively slowing down if not cutting off transmission. —BAP/KG, GMA News