OpenAI Executive Fidji Simo to Step Down Amid Health Challenges Ahead of IPO 
Oil and LNG Tankers Turn Back as Strait of Hormuz Security Risks Escalate 
Zhipu AI Stock Jumps on Report of Custom AI Chip Development Plans 
SK Hynix Prices Record U.S. ADR Offering at $149 After $200 Billion Investor Demand 
Morgan Stanley Names Marks & Spencer Top European Retail Pick, Sees Strong Upside 
Mizuho’s Top U.S. Industrials Stocks: Why Corteva and Stanley Black & Decker Stand Out 
Goldman AM Sees Strong Buyout Opportunities in Japan, South Korea and Australia 
Sino Biopharm Stock Rises After AstraZeneca Licensing Deal, GSK Partnership Expansion 
Telenor to Buy Controlling Stake in Bahnhof in $630 Million Broadband Deal 
Apple Tests China's CXMT Memory Chips as DRAM Maker Gains Global Market Share 
Levi Strauss Raises 2026 Outlook After Q2 Earnings Beat, Shares Drop Despite Strong Results 
Asian Stocks Slip as Iran Tensions, Samsung Weakness and Fed Caution Weigh on Markets 
Japan Eyes Bigger GPIF Investment in Domestic Assets as BOJ Independence Concerns Grow 
Gold Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Conflict, Fed Rate Hike Bets Pressure Precious Metals 
Japanese Yen Rises as Pension Fund Plan and BOJ Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Dollar 
Japan Regional Bank Stocks Drop After Zentoshin Bankruptcy Sparks Credit Risk Concerns 
Japan Producer Inflation Hits 7.1% in June, Fueling BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Pfizer-BioNTech was said to have won a contract with the Philippines for the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine. It was reported that the country just signed a deal with the American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company for 40 million doses of the vaccines.
The Philippines and Pfizer deal for coronavirus shots
As per Reuters, this is so far the biggest order of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from the Philippines. Secretary Carlito Galvez, the National Task Force chief against coronavirus, announced the deal with Pfizer on Sunday, June 20, and revealed that deliveries could be expected to begin in August.
In addition to this new order from Pfizer-BioNTech, the Philippines has now secured the delivery of 113 million doses of vaccine from five suppliers that include China's Sinovac (26 million doses), Moderna (20 million), Russia's Sputnik V (10 million) and AstraZeneca (17 million).
The vaccine supply in Manila is still limited and in some provinces, the government recorded a surge in COVID-19 cases, which complicates efforts to work up on the immunization drive. But with the upcoming Pfizer supply, officials are hoping that it will reach more people and eventually lessen the cases.
“We are very happy to report that the government and the management of Pfizer have finally concluded our negotiations, Philippine News Agency quoted Galvez as saying. “Health Secretary Francisco Duque and I signed yesterday (Saturday, June 19) the supply agreement for the biggest and most decisive deal we had for 2021.”
More vaccine jabs for the Filipinos
Galvez added that 20 million Filipinos will benefit from this Pfizer COVID-19 supply deal. The Philippines is not just waiting for deliveries from the American biotech company, but it is also expecting deliveries from the COVAX facility. In addition, a total of 16 million doses are coming from Jonhson & Johnson and Novavax as well.
Meanwhile, the Philippines will be allowing the administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines to youngsters ages 12 to 15. Their inoculation may begin later this year once the vaccine inventory expands and the priority group’s vaccinations are completed.
