Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque revealed that the government will only have to spend a maximum of P1,300 per dose of the COVID-19 vaccines of Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech.
According to the spokesman, Sinovac’s CoronaVac is priced near P650 per dose or around P1,300 for the complete two doses. A more accurate amount will be announced once the procurement agreement is signed.
As of late, only a term sheet has been signed, where Sinovac committed to supply 25 million doses to the Philippines.
Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier disclosed that the DOH had submitted a report to the Senate Committee on Finance last year indicating that two doses from the brand cost P3,629 based on market price estimates.
She added that changes were made after negotiations but the actual prices cannot be divulged yet due to non-disclosure agreements.
“We are already undertaking specific negotiations with the different manufacturers. Mayroon nang negotiated prices na lumalabas,” Vergeire said.
The Philippines is in the middle to talks to buy 25 million doses from Sinovac. The first batch, 50,000 doses, is set to arrive on February 20. China is set to donate 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines, but Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi did not specify which brand.
Sinovac’s application for emergency use in the Philippines has not yet been reviewed pending its submission of the crucial phase 3 clinical trial results.
