Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez revealed that the coronavirus vaccine made in China may likely be the first one to roll out in the Philippines.
Galvez told ANC’s “Headstart” that China’s Sinovac may arrive in the country by March if a deal would be signed this month.
“Sana makuha po natin ng first quarter. Sabi nga nung IP biotech that if we will be able to have a consummation of a contract when we already successfully sign the contract, they can provide it after 60 to 90 days, meaning 2 to 3 months,” Galvez said.
He added, “If we will have a signing this month, most likely we’ll have it by March.”
Galvez said that he is up to the challenge of getting the shot of the Chinese-made vaccine. “I was briefed by the vaccine expert panel and based on their evaluation, Sinovac and the Chinese vaccines are very safe because it came from the classical inactivated virus platform. They briefed me that the safest among the platforms and the classical that’s been used for years is the inactivated virus,” said.
Galvez said that other vaccines made by Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca will be prioritizing their country of origin.
