Mass vaccination vs COVID-19 may take place by Q2 or mid-2021 as “best case scenario” – Galvez

November 25, 2020

The Philippines is eyeing to conduct mass vaccination against coronavirus disease by second quarter or middle of next year as the "best case scenario," an official said on Wednesday.

In the "Laging Handa" televised press briefing, National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr., who is also the vaccine czar, said the vaccination of "60 to 70 million" Filipinos would take place in three to five-year period.

"Our best case scenario is second quarter or middle of the year," he said when asked of the government's target to conduct mass vaccination.

"Although we will have the clinical trial this coming December, we expect the results of our regulatory board, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), can be finished by first quarter. So, the best case scenario is second quarter, the worst case scenario or what we call as realistic scenario is end of the year or early 2022," he said.

Galvez said the government could vaccinate more or less 20 to 30 million a year.

"At the same time, we can also determine that the vaccine is safe and effective, because all the vaccines now are ongoing trial," he said.

He said the government is looking for five to six sources of vaccines, with "more of less 20 to 50 million doses" coming from Sinovac of China.

Galvez said they are also starting negotiations with Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

Galvez said they are also talking with India and  will also meet with the Ambassador of Australia. The government is also talking with Gamaleya of Russia.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier said the government is eyeing P73.2 billion to purchase the vaccines for 60 million Filipinos.

One of the possible sources is loan with multilateral agencies, such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

Galvez said they hope to secure the loan from the two multilateral agencies by December this year.

He said the strategy of the government is to provide the vaccines once they are available in areas where there are high cases of COVID-19.

"So, what we will do first is geographical. Meaning, we will prioritize the affected areas like NCR (National Capital Region), Region IV-A, Region III, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, so that we can feel the effect of the vaccine," he said.

Through targeting these "centers," he said life will normalize and the economy will improve.

The next target will be sectoral in order to comply with the guidance of President Rodrigo Duterte to prioritize healthcare workers, police, soldiers, and the vulnerable communities, Galvez said.

He also expressed support on the proposal of Senator Ralph Recto to include P150-billion for COVID-19 vaccines and other logistics in the proposed budget for next year.

"Even if the P100 billion can be placed under the unfunded fund and the P50 billion in the budget," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS