Republic of India Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran presents his letter of credence to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the new resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary-designate to the Philippines during the virtual presentation of credentials at the Malacañang Palace on December 2, 2020. ACE MORANDANTE/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
The country may get 30 million doses of Novavax Covid-19 vaccines by mid-2020, Indian envoy to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran said on Thursday.
He said in a Malacañan Palace briefing, that discussions were underway for the Philippines’s procurement of 30 million doses from India.
“They will, I believe, conclude the discussions, agree on the supply contract,” added Kumaran.
The ambassador said the large number of vaccines could help boost the Philippines’ vaccination drive.
“We’re very hopeful that this vaccine [will arrive] early in the third quarter or the late second quarter of this year. So it will provide the backbone for the Philippines vaccination effort in the second half of 2021 this year,” he said.
The Novavax vaccine is US-developed but is being manufactured in India.
The country has vaccinated 114,615 individuals as of Thursday, according to Palace spokesman Harry Roque. John Ezekiel J. Hirro
