Philippines secures 30 million Novavax vaccine doses

The Philippines has secured 30 million doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, with initial supplies expected to arrive in the 3rd quarter of 2021.

These Novavax vaccines, branded as Covovax, will be manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), with whom the Philippine government has recently signed a term sheet.

Additional vaccine negotiations are underway for significant volumes from Pfizer (around 40 million doses) and AstraZeneca (25-30 million doses), alongside 25 million doses each from Sinovac and Gamaleya.

The vaccine rollout in the Philippines is anticipated to commence in the first quarter of 2021, with a more substantial supply expected in the latter half of the year.

An early rollout in February is possible, potentially utilizing vaccines from the Covax facility, which may include supplies from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, or Sinovac.

The Covax facility is expected to provide approximately 40 million doses, enough for 20-30 million people.

The Novavax vaccines, like others, still need to secure emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before any public rollout can begin.