Philippine News Agency
No bus missed, ball dropped in gov't talks for vaccines: Galvez
The Philippines did not miss any opportunity to secure COVID-19 vaccine doses, according to National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr.
Galvez stated that the focus was on securing an equitable share of vaccines, and negotiations can face challenges when legal issues and safety are concerned.
This statement comes amid allegations that the country missed out on procuring 10 million Pfizer vaccine doses due to negligence.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III defended himself by saying he "erred on the side of caution" and required more information before proceeding.
Duque also explained that the confidentiality disclosure agreement (CDA) for Pfizer was initially intended for the Office of the President to sign.
He further clarified that the Department of Health (DOH) could not sign the CDA for the entire government, leading to separate agreements signed by the Department of Science and Technology and Secretary Galvez.
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President Rodrigo Duterte saw "no major lapse" in the country's negotiations with Pfizer for COVID-19 vaccines, with Malacañang stating that the ongoing talks mean it is not a major issue.
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National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. clarified that no government official has direct access to funds for vaccine procurement, addressing concerns about potential kickbacks causing delays in acquiring COVID-19 vaccines.
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Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. reminded the public that only the Philippine government is authorized to procure and administer COVID-19 vaccines.
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Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire clarified that the Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA) between the Philippine government and Pfizer did not guarantee a supply of COVID-19 vaccines.
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The Department of Health (DOH) has defended its timeline for securing COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, refuting claims that the government missed an opportunity for an earlier acquisition.
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