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Locsin won't say who dropped the ball on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines from US
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. revealed that an offer to secure 10 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for the Philippines in January 2021 was unfortunately missed.
Locsin stated that he and Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Romualdez worked with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to facilitate the vaccine acquisition, which was to be financed by the World Bank and ADB and shipped via FedEx.
He cryptically mentioned that "somebody dropped the ball" causing the arrangement to fall through, without identifying the responsible party.
Despite the missed opportunity, Locsin noted that vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. was already in the process of ordering Pfizer vaccines.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated he had no knowledge of the specific individual Locsin was referring to regarding the dropped arrangement.
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The Philippines missed an opportunity to secure approximately 10 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for early delivery in January 2021 due to a delayed submission of a Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement.
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Senator Panfilo Lacson stated that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's inaction caused the Philippines to miss out on a January 2021 delivery of 10 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.
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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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Senate President Vicente Sotto III believes Health Secretary Francisco Duque III need not explain his side regarding the failed procurement of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, as he is convinced Duque was at fault.
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The Philippines has secured an assurance of 30 million doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India.
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