PH secures 2.6M AstraZeneca vaccine doses via private sector deal

A tripartite agreement was signed for the private sector donation of 2.6 million doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine to the Philippine government.

The deal, named "Angat Lahat: A Dose of Hope," has an estimated value of P700 million.

Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and AstraZeneca Philippines country president Lotis Ramin were present at the signing.

Half of the donated vaccines will be allocated to government frontliners, and the other half to private sector employees.

These 2.6 million doses are separate from the government's own procurement efforts.

The vaccine, developed in partnership with Oxford University, has a reported 70 percent efficiency against COVID-19.

The vaccines are expected to arrive in May or June next year and will help over 1.5 million Filipinos.

Secretary Galvez urged the public to continue observing minimum health standards even if the vaccine becomes available.