WHO: 4.5 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine due by end of May

A total of 4.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines developed by AstraZeneca will arrive in the country batches before the end of May, World Health Organization (WHO) country representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said on Thursday night.

Abeyasinge made the remark after 487,200 doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“The consignment received today will be followed by up to 4.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, scheduled to arrive before the end of May in batches,” Abeyasinghe said in his speech.

According to WHO official, the vaccines received from the COVAX facility will protect up to 20 percent of Filipinos.

“In addition to other vaccines stated to be delivered to the Philippines through the COVAX— vaccines delivered through COVAX will protect up 20 percent of the population in the Philippines during this year,” he said.

Abeyansinghe said that the arrival of the vaccines in the country is a “testament to the strength of collaboration, cooperation, and compassion.”

“It is a testament to the power of working together towards a common goal in the spirit of partnership, equity, and solidarity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said the pandemic has become a child rights crisis that must be ended as fast as possible.

“The longer the pandemic goes on, the more intense the impact on people, especially on children’s health, rights to education, nutrition, protection, and mental health,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said in a statement.

“COVID-19 vaccination should be part of a larger strategy to strengthen health systems for children and families in the Philippines for the long-term,” she added.

President Rodrigo Duterte personally welcomed the arrival of the vaccines at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday evening.

Also present in the event was Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.

Officials earlier said that there was still no date for the rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine pending experts' recommendation on which sector would best benefit from the doses.

The Philippines has reported a total of 584,667 confirmed cases, of which 535,037 have recovered and 12,404 have died. -NB, GMA News