U.S. may accede to Phl vax request

We have to understand where the United States is coming from. We have to remember that around 600,000 people died due to infections. It is very big because they would not be able to do their vaccination program even if they have the supply.

The United States is “willing to consider” the Philippines’ request to “borrow” its stockpile of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said Friday.

“Secretary (Carlito) Galvez had officially informed CDA (Chargé d’Affaires) John Law in the US embassy. As for my part, I have already informed the White House, the one who is in charge with their vaccines in the National Security Council’s Office Dr. Beth Cameron. It looks like they are willing to consider that,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez, in a radio interview, said the US is willing to grant the Philippine request but it has to consider it due to the existing order of President Joe Biden that all Americans should be vaccinated by 4 July.

“But with AstraZeneca although it is not yet approved, they might use it as its stock,” he said.

He noted that the US acknowledged the global vaccine shortage and was already “plotting out” on how it can help to supply other countries.

“One thing is for sure, they know that this pandemic will not end without worldwide herd immunity or global immunity,” he added.

Moderna vaccines

Meanwhile, Romualdez said the first batch of vaccine doses from Moderna is expected to arrive in the Philippines by 15 June.

“In Moderna, they just confirmed to me that (it would be delivered) definitely by 15 June, it is only a small (quantity),” he said.

However, he clarified that Philippines would receive a higher number of Moderna vaccine doses for the succeeding months until it completes the shipment of the 20 million doses procured by the government and private sector by the end of the year.

According to Romualdez, the American pharmaceutical firm is “very cooperative” with the Philippines but due to the 70-year US law that obligates manufacturers to fill US government orders first and prevents them from exporting.

He also pointed out that the Philippines was not the only country who was looking after the US stockpile of Moderna, “even their neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico.”

Romualdez, who is the countries’ point man on US-produced vaccines urged people to try to understand the circumstances.

“We have to understand where the United States is coming from. We have to remember that around 600,000 people died due to infections. It is very big because they would not be able to do their vaccination program even if they have the supply,” he noted.

He also added that the Philippines is already in talks with Moderna with the booster shots that can be matched with any brand of vaccines which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.