The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has begun discussions with various pharmaceutical companies as it eyes the procurement of vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

(Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

Senator Richard Gordon, also the PRC chairman, announced the possible procurement of at least two million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in a DZMM interview on Wednesday.

“Nag-order ako, kung pwede, sa malalaking kumpanya katulad nitong (Astra) Zeneca, two million (doses) and Moderna, 200,000 (doses). (I have ordered, if it is allowed, from big companies like AstraZeneca, two million (doses) and Moderna, 200,000 doses),” Gordon said.

“May kakausapin pa kami ngayon na pagkukuhaan ng another 200,000 (doses). May mga kakausapin din kami na ibang tao. (We are still negotiating with other companies to procure another 200,000 doses. We will also talk to other people),” he added.

Gordon also reiterated his proposal to implement the “Buy One, Donate One” scheme, where those who have the capacity to buy the vaccine can also donate to those who cannot afford it.

“May mga kinakausap na kaming mga tao na can afford na magbibigay sya ng libre sa mahirap para makapagbakuna. (We are already talking to people who can afford to buy and donate vaccine to the poor),” he said.

While the PRC is still working on getting COVID-19 vaccines, Gordon offered its assistance to the Department of Health in its national immunization program.
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