Philippines secures 2.6M AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses

Over 2.6 million doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine have been secured through a tripartite agreement between the Philippine government, private sector, and AstraZeneca.

The deal is worth around P700 million with half of the vaccines to be donated to the government and the other half for use by employees in the private sector.

Vaccines are expected to arrive in May or June 2021 but cannot proceed without regulatory approval from local authorities.

Health Undersecretary Mario Vergeire clarified that the supply deal is an 'advanced commitment' to ensure allocation of vaccines, and inoculation will only occur after regulatory nod.