President Duterte may receive the coronavirus vaccine from China since it will be first to arrive in the country, Malacanang said Monday.
The President is eager to get inoculated against the coronavirus using both vaccines made by China and Russia, but he would have to choose only one, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
The country’s initial supply of COVID-19 vaccines developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech is expected to arrive in the country starting next month.
At least 25 million Sinovac vaccine doses have been secured by the Philippine government for delivery this year.
Asked if the President’s vaccination will be made public, Roque said: “I’m only right now speculating. But the President has said repeatedly gusto na niyang magpabakuna na ng Chinese at Russian.”
Under the 2021 national budget, the government has set aside P72 billion to acquire coronavirus vaccines from suppliers abroad.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said around 148 million doses of coronavirus vaccines will be acquired to benefit initial 50 to 70 million Filipinos this year.
Negotiations are ongoing with vaccine makers like Novovax, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, and Gamaleya. (Genalyn Kabiling)
