Last November 9, Pfizer and BioNTech had both come out with the news of their 90% effective COVID-19 vaccine entering the early stages of its third and final trial phase.
When I came across this news, I immediately felt relieved and optimistic. Finally, after nearly a year of staying at home, we would have the chance to go outside, explore, meet with friends; all the activities we had to cancel because of the virus. Aside from myself, the news gave many countries hope that the pandemic would come to an end by the first quarter of 2021, but the Department of Health (DOH) warns us to be wary of this goal -- realistically, the vaccines will reach the richer countries first.
Pfizer, a pharmaceutical giant, had announced that they had been working with BioNTech, a biotech company, on a vaccine for the notorious COVID-19 that plunged the world into solitary confinement. With this release came a few doubts, as other countries like Russia and China had developed their own vaccines but were not sought after by international markets.
Technically, Pfizer’s vaccine would have to be approved by the FDA before it would be distributed both within the US and to other countries. With the vaccine being in its Phase 3 testing, though, it seems that we won’t have to wait for long until the vaccine is placed on the market. Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manual Romualdez affirmed the country that “as long as they get (FDA) approval and we tell them what we need, they’re ready to supply it.”
In addition, Romualdez estimates that Pfizer will be selling the vaccine to the Philippines at a lower cost - about $5 (P250) a shot - thanks to the fruitful relationship between the company and the ambassador. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire informed the public of a proposal given by the drug firm to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Pena last November 6 but did not disclose any details. To reserve stock for these vaccines, a P2.5-billion budget had been allocated to the proposed 2021 national budget.
Even if this news makes me want to jump in joy, I agree with the DOH that it should be taken with a grain of salt. We shouldn’t be expecting to build up herd immunity within the Philippines by early 2021, because Pfizer had made supply agreements with richer countries such as the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan, which are sure to run the first stock dry. How long would it be until the vaccine becomes available to the Philippines?
Despite these fears, I still believe that the COVAX (COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access) initiative, led by the World Health Organization and Vaccine Alliance, would make this vaccine available everywhere as soon as the summer of 2021 -- taking into account that the first supply will be reserved for America’s emergency use.
So take from this news what you will, but a vaccine that will not be monopolized and will be made accessible to the world in the next few months sounds like a Christmas miracle to me.
Story by Carl Gabriel Yap (For the GG)
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