Bulk of AstraZeneca vaccine doses to arrive in 2022 —Palace

The bulk of COVID-19 vaccine doses from British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca will be delivered to the Philippines in 2022, Malacañang said Friday.

The Philippines has so far locked in 19.6 million doses, with the initial delivery set for July this year, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

“Suwerte na tayo kung makakuha tayo ng kaunting supply ng AstraZeneca sa July, pero karamihan po ng deliver ng AstraZeneca ay 2022 pa. Kung kayo naman po ay malusog at handang maghintay, pupuwede po iyon,” Roque said in a radio interview.

The AstraZeneca vaccine doses were secured through the efforts of the national government, local government units and the private sector.

AstraZeneca’s application for an emergency use authorization has yet to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The Philippines aims to secure 148 million doses from several vaccine makers this year. The rollout of the vaccines is expected to begin in February. —KBK, GMA News