Philippines widens search for Covid-19 vaccine with Australia talks

The Philippines will meet Australian manufacturers for a Covid-19 vaccine. PHOTO: REUTERS

MANILA (BLOOMBERG) - The Philippines will meet Australian manufacturers for a Covid-19 vaccine being developed by the University of Queensland as the South-east Asian nation expands its search for supplies to combat the region's biggest outbreak.

The nation did not reach a commitment with Pfizer during a meeting last Friday (Sept 4), as a law restricts "pre-ordering without the products yet", Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual briefing.

The Philippines also won't be able to join Pfizer's clinical trials, which are expected to finish by end-October.

Philippine infections rose by 2,839 to 237,365 cases while Covid-19 deaths increased by 85 to 3,875, according to data released on Sunday by the nation's health department.

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