Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 19) — The government is considering ordering more COVID-19 vaccines from US manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna, an official said on Wednesday.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government will continue to order from Sinovac — which accounts for the majority of the country’s vaccine stockpile — but procurement efforts could shift to getting the Western brands.
“We are exploring to buy more (Sinovac). But once nag-deliver na ang majority ng Pfizer at Moderna, we might be concentrating on these major brands,” he said during the arrival of 365,040 government-procured Pfizer shots.
[Translation: Once Pfizer and Moderna have delivered the majority of its commitment, we might concentrate on getting these major brands.]
The official added that Pfizer is seen to “pick up its delivery” in September by shipping five million doses.
The national government has ordered 26 million doses of CoronaVac from Sinovac, with over 21 million already delivered to the country.
