Gov't to focus on buying Pfizer, Moderna over Sinovac shots – Galvez

The Philippine government will focus on procuring US-made COVID-19 vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna as the deal for China’s Sinovac vaccine is set to be completed, secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the national vaccine manager, said Wednesday, reported INQUIRER.net.

He added that the government would, however, be open to exploring new procurement deals with Sinovac.

"Yes, we are exploring to buy more [Sinovac vaccine doses], but once the majority of the Pfizer and Moderna [doses] have been completed, we might be concentrating on these major brands," he said.

Galvez said Pfizer and BioNTech will "pick up its delivery" of vaccines next month, beginning with five million doses.

The government earlier signed a deal for 40 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, as well as an agreement with the private sector for the procurement of 20 million Moderna doses.

The Philippines have so far received around 4.3 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine and 4.2 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine.