Gov’t reserves COVID-19 vaccine for 3 million Filipinos under COVAX Facility – DOST

August 4, 2020

The Philippine government has reserved vaccine against coronavirus disease for at least three million Filipinos under the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility, an official said on Tuesday.

Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, in a virtual press briefing, said the three million vaccines are equivalent to three percent of the country's population but the government could avail more once a vaccine against coronavirus disease is available.

"We have committed to join the COVAX Facility wherein once the vaccines become available, we have reserved three percent corresponding to three percent of our population or three million vaccines to ensure that we can immediately avail once the vaccines become available," he said.

Through the COVAX Facility, countries have the opportunity to benefit from a portfolio of vaccine candidates so their populations can have early access to effective vaccines.

Dela Peña said the government could buy up to 20 percent of the population through the COVAX Facility.

But he said it was not yet sure the number of doses that would be required for each person.

The government has estimated that per dose could amount to $10 or P500.

"That's why when we were discussing at the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases), the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) approved the subscription of three million or if you multiply it by P50(0) per vaccine is 1.5 billion (pesos)," Dela Peña said.

He said the government is also negotiating with three manufacturers from China and two from Taiwan as they are ahead in terms of clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines.

"We are also not eliminating the possibility of other bilateral partners like Russia that are also advance in development (for coronavirus vaccines)," he added.

He said the private sector, with the approval of the Philippine Food and Drug Administration, can also coordinate with the other manufacturers.

The DOST, along with the Department of Health and other government hospitals, is also conducting clinical trials using natural products, such as virgin coconut oil, Lagundi and Tawa-Tawa (both herbal medicine).

There are also ongoing clinical trials in the country under the World Health Organization Solidarity Trials as well as antiviral drug Avigan from Japan. Celerina Monte/DMS