Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 21) — The government will continue purchasing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines even when they become commercially available possibly next year, Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said on Friday.
He said the government may provide the vaccines specifically to those belonging to the vulnerable population and poor communities, much like its current vaccination drives for other diseases.
“Definitely like in rubella, tigdas, at saka ‘yung polio, meron pa rin portion tayo sa gobyerno na ibibigay lalo na sa mga bata, at lalo na sa mga matatanda at saka doon sa mga poor communities na hindi kayang bumili ng bakuna,” said Galvez while overseeing the second day of the Resbakuna sa Botika program in Makati City.
[Translation: Definitely like in the case of rubella, tigdas, and polio, the government will have a portion of the vaccines to be given especially to children, the elderly, and poor communities who cannot afford the shots.]
He mentioned that if the vaccines become commercialized in 2023, those who can afford them can purchase directly from pharmacies.
“Basically, ‘yung ating D and E at saka ‘yung C class bibigyan pa rin natin ‘yan,” stressed Galvez. “Normally, makikita natin ‘yung class A and B, kayang kaya nila talaga na sila mismo for convenience ang kukuha noon sa mga drugstores at mga pharmacies.”
[Translation: Basically, we will give vaccines to those under classes D and E, and also C. Normally, we see that classes A and B can buy from drugstores and pharmacies for their convenience.]
The secretary said that this development is largely the result of effective and speedy vaccination drives implemented in local government units.
He added that some manufacturers are more interested in selling vaccines to the national government because the transaction process is easier.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay said she is on board with continuing the city’s vaccination drive.
“Considering that we purchased one million doses of AstraZeneca for the initiatives against this pandemic, we will definitely consider buying if it becomes commercially available in the succeeding years,” she intoned during the same event.
