Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. during a Senate hearing stated that an indemnification fund is crucial in securing more COVID-19 vaccine supply, and encourage more Filipinos to be inoculated against the virus.
This was discussed during a Committee on Finance hearing on a bill that aims to expedite vaccine procurement.
“We need an indemnification clause in the law considering that it will greatly affect the volumes that the manufacturers are willing to give to us,” Galvez said.
In case of adverse effects after immunization, an indemnification clause will also protect the program given that vaccines are only being distributed through Emergency Use Authorization.
People will also be encouraged to get the shots since they are assured of compensation if they experience adverse effects, Galvez added.
World Health Organization Country Representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe in a separate interview also explained that manufacturers require indemnification funds “for their own safety” since not all vaccines have been approved for the market.
Finance Committee chair Sonny Angara said comments will have to be solicited from the Office of the President.
