The delivery of 525,600 doses of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines made by British drugmaker AstraZeneca to the Philippines will be delayed for one week due to global supply problem, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The AstraZeneca vaccines were supposed to arrive in the country on Monday, March 1, as announced by the Malacanang on Saturday, Feb. 27.
“Meron lang balita kasi na hindi matutuloy dahil nga ang sabi ng WHO (World Health Organization) nagkakaproblema sila sa supply. So, maaantala daw ng isang linggo (We received a word from the WHO saying that there is a supply problem. Its delivery, perhaps will be delayed for a week),” said Duque.
The Health chief encouraged the medical frontliners and the public to get vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines made by Sinovac Biotech, assuring them that the China-made vaccines are safe and effective.
“Ako po ay nakikiusap, itong Sinovac pumasa po ito sa mahigpit na pagsusuri ng ating FDA (Food and Drug Administration) at alinsunod sa ating VEP (Vaccine Experts Panel), NITAG (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group) at ito ay sinisiguring ligtas, dekalidad, at huwag magdadalawang isip magpabakuna. (I’m appealing, this Sinovac (vaccine) has passed the strict evaluation of our FDA and in accordance with our VEP and NITAG--- and it is considered safe and of quality. Do not hesitate to get vaccinated),” said Duque.
“Para sa ating mga healthcare workers, sana po ito ay inyong tanggapin. One hundred percent ang efficacy rate nito sa pag iwas sa severe COVID-19 infection at iyan ang ating hangarin na maiwasan---ang moderate to severe COVID-19 infection (For our healthcare workers, I hope you will accept it. It has a 100-percent efficacy rate in preventing severe COVID-19 infection and that is our goal---- to prevent the moderate to severe infection),” he added.