PH signs indemnification pacts for COVAX vaccine delivery

The Philippine government has signed indemnification agreements, a requirement for the COVAX global facility, allowing for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. confirmed that the Philippines submitted the necessary requirements, including indemnification agreements for Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines.

Galvez cited these indemnification requirements as the reason for the delay in the expected arrival of 117,000 doses of Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the delivery of the first 117,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines will happen two weeks after both the Philippines and Pfizer-BioNTech sign an indemnification agreement.

WHO representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe noted that while the Philippines already submitted its proposed indemnification agreement, Pfizer-BioNTech is yet to submit its counter proposal.

At least two million more doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines under the COVAX facility will be delivered to the country once the indemnification agreement is in place.

Manufacturers expect an indemnification agreement because the COVID-19 vaccines are still under emergency use and are being evaluated for possible side effects.