AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines eyed March 8, Pfizer in April

The Philippines is expecting doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility.

The initial shipment of 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines is now tentatively scheduled to arrive on Monday, March 8, 2021.

This batch was initially scheduled for March 1 but was delayed due to global supply and logistical issues, with UNICEF indicating a potential one-week delay.

However, COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer under the COVAX facility may arrive by April, as assured by the WHO to President Rodrigo Duterte.

At least 117,000 initial doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines are expected from the COVAX facility, which was led by the WHO and GAVI alliance.

The delivery of the initial Pfizer supply was originally set in February but was delayed due to additional manufacturer requirements.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to lead the turnover rites for the vaccines.

This shipment will allow at least 243,000 more health workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.