President Duterte announced Tuesday he is looking for funds to purchase the coronavirus vaccine amid hopes it will be available in the market early next year.
The President said Moderna pharmaceutical firm has developed the vaccine that may become available by January 2021, adding that people should avoid dying until then.
“I’m looking for money…may pera ako pambili ng vaccine just in case somebody else would beat the Moderna to the vaccine. I think China has already one. We are just waiting for the announcement,” Duterte said during his televised public address.
“Kailangan may pera ako niyan kasi bili kaagad tayo,” he added.
He admitted that the government has limited resources since it is “short of tax collection” amid the coronavirus lockdown.
The President welcomed the latest milestone in the global race for the coronavirus vaccine, citing that clinical trial of Moderna’s drug yielded “positive results.”
He admitted that this was the “good news” he has been hoping for.
“Mayroon nang vaccine but ang problema it will be ready, according to them, by 2021 pa. January at the very – at the earliest. So kung ganoon ‘wag ka sanang mamatay hanggang January, hintayin mo ‘yung vaccine,” he said.
Duterte admitted that he wanted to place an early order of the coronavirus vaccine but Finance Secretary Carlo Dominguez III advised against it.
He said Dominguez opposed such vaccine procurement at this time since the government might end up with a “bad deal” since the supplier, not the buyer, will dictate the price. Duterte agreed with Dominguez’s advice.
While waiting for the coronavirus vaccine, the President has appealed anew to the public to follow the government’s quarantine regulations to contain the spread of the disease.
He reminded people to wear face masks whenever they leave their homes as well as use alcohol to sanitize their hands. (Genalyn Kabiling)
