Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said the COVAX facility now aims to provide free vaccines for some 15-16% of the country’s population. This is noticeably lower than the expected 20% or around 22 million Filipinos.
COVAX is a global initiative led by the World Health Organization that aims to ensure equitable access to coronavirus vaccines.
“Nakikita nating mabawasan po iyong 20%. Ang narinig ko po ay baka bumaba ng 15-16% ang matatanggap natin pero okay lang po iyon dahil preparado po tayo,” Galvez said in a presser.
The initial batch from the facility is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of the year after the Philippines’ participation in COVAX becomes official, the Department of Health earlier Pfizer, Novovax, and Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca are among the vaccine makers that have joined COVAX.
Galvez assured the public that “with or without COVAX,” coronavirus vaccines will reach Filipinos.
