By Elyjah Rosales and Archie Villaflores

PHOTO: UNTV

Following the death of 23 Norwegian senior citizens who were inoculated with Pfizer vaccine, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. assured the public that the government will be more cautious.

In an interview with “Dobol B sa News TV,” Galvez was firm to not repeat such an incident in the Philippines given that the vaccinations are set to begin.

"Ang ating goal is zero casualty and as much as possible, very close watch," he stated.

The vaccine czar, accordingly, also explained that he already contacted Health Secretary Francisco Duque III regarding this matter.

"Sinabi namin na mas maganda 'yung original plan namin na 18 hanggang 59 [years old] lang muna at hahanap tayo ng bakuna na pang-matanda talaga," Galvez told, noting how dangerous this is for 80 years old and above.

As per the Norwegian Medicines agency, the 23 deaths were connected to the vaccinations — Pfizer vaccine, specifically — with more than a half already assessed.

"Common adverse reactions may have contributed to a severe course in elderly people who are frail,” read the report.

“The Large studies on Comirnaty… did not include patients with unstable or acute illness — and included few participants over 85 years of age,” it added.

Earlier, Galvez informed Filipinos that Pfizer could be the first vaccine to be administered in the country with COVAX Facility’s early rollout.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already granted this vaccine an emergency use authorization (EUA) as well.


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