Duterte secures funds for COVID-19 vaccines

President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced that the Philippines has secured sufficient funds to purchase coronavirus vaccines once they become available.

He stated he has already located the necessary funds and intends to find more to ensure all 130 million Filipinos can receive vaccinations.

Duterte expressed confidence in vaccines developed by China, assuring Filipinos of their safety and integrity.

At least three potential COVID-19 vaccines are set to have clinical trials in the Philippines, including those from Russia and China, and potentially a Western company.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that the vaccine Duterte referred to as having secured funds for is not among the three slated for clinical trials in the country.

The Department of Health (DoH) confirmed that an inter-agency task force is preparing for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in November.

Several institutions, including Russia's Gamaleya Research Institute, Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, and China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd., have applied for phase 3 clinical trials in the country.