Philippines eyes use of 4 COVID-19 vaccines by first quarter of 2021

The Philippines aims to secure four COVID-19 vaccines that will be used in the vaccination of its citizens as early as the first quarter of 2021, Malacañang said Thursday.

Three of the vaccines will come from China (Sinovac Biotech, CanSino Biologics and Sinopharm) and the other one will be produced by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine may be used by the second quarter. Last month, the Philippine government, the private sector and AstraZeneca signed a tripartite agreement for the country to secure a supply of 2.6 million doses.

Vaccines developed by Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, Moderna and doses from the World Health Organization-backed COVAX Facility are expected to arrive in the third quarter.

“Lahat na po ng mga bakuna ay talagang magagamit na pagkatapos po ng third quarter pero magsisimula po talaga tayo, ang target ay first quarter ng 2021,” Roque said at a press briefing.

In preparation for the vaccine rollout, the national government asked the local government units to prepare the priority listing of people to be vaccinated by geographical area and sector, inventory of possible vaccination centers and inventory of cold chain storage and transportation available, among others.

Nearly 25 million Filipinos composed of frontline health workers, the poor and uniformed personnel will be among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Philippines eyes to vaccinate 60 to 70 million people in three to five years. — RSJ, GMA News