Malacañang is confident that there is no stopping the government's vaccination program now, especially with the arrival of more vaccines this month.
(OPS / FILE PHOTO)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as the government rolled out its vaccination program against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) this week with the vaccines donated by the Chinese government to the Philippines.
In an interview with Super Radyo DZBB Wednesday, March 3, Roque allayed fears that the vaccination program may be halted due to the limited number of vaccines since a million more doses of Sinovac vaccines will arrive this month.
The government is currently using the 600,000 CoronaVac doses of Chinese drugmaker Sinovac.
"Tuloy-tuloy na po 'yan (There's no stopping the vaccination program now)," Roque said.
"May inaasahan po tayong isang milyon galing sa Sinovac, ito na po 'yung bibilhin natin. Ang ginagamit natin ay 'yung donated lamang (We are expecting 1 million doses from Sinovac, this is the one we purchased. What we're using right now are donated doses)," he added.
The Palace official likewise pointed out 525,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility will also arrive this month.
He said more vaccines will arrive in April.
"Sa tingin ko po hindi na maaantala ito. Pagdating po ng Abril, diyan naman po sisipa 'yung marami nating nabili rin (I don't think the program will face any glitches now.
In April, our other vaccine purchases will start arriving)," Roque said.
"Kaya nga po kampante ang gobyerno na tuloy-tuloy na ito (That's why the government is confident that it will be smooth sailing for the vaccination program)," he added.
The 525,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility were slated to arrive in the Philippines on March 1 but logistical issues delayed the delivery of the shots anew.