The Philippines is set to sign on March 10, a supply agreement with American biotech company Novavax for 30 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccines, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. previously said that he would fly overseas to sign the deal with the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine maker. The institute is producing Novavax and AstraZeneca jabs.
“Pipirma na rin bukas, ika-10 ng Marso ng supply agreement with Novavax--30 million po 'yan," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.
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Clinical trials in Britain involving 15,000 people, showed 89.3% efficacy for the vaccine, Novavax said at the end of January. It was found to be 95.6% effective against the original COVID-19 strain and 85.6% effective against the British variant.
At present, the Philippines is rolling out its COVID-19 immunization program using donated Sinovac jabs from China, and AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX facility which ensures equitable global access to the much-needed drugs.
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The Philippines has so far signed a purchase order for a million more doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines, and a supply deal with American biotech firm Moderna for 13 million doses of its jabs.
The government aims to vaccinate at least 70 million of its people this year to help end the pandemic that has claimed over 12,000 lives in the country and infected nearly 600,000 people.
Vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use in the Philippines so far are those produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac.
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-with a report from Agence France-Presse
