Duterte OKs AstraZeneca vax for front-liners in high-risk areas

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the use of around 525,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines as the first dose for medical front-liners in areas with high COVID-19 transmission.

The decision was announced by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque during an online press briefing on Friday.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed a memorandum approving the use of these donated COVAX doses to protect more frontline healthcare workers.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. thanked Duterte for this move, stating it will increase the number of vaccinated health workers to 825,200.