President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the usage of all COVAX-donated AstraZeneca vaccines as first dose for the vaccination of all medical frontliners in the country.
“Nag-isyu po ng memorandum ang ating (A memorandum has been issued by our) Executive Secretary, and, I will quote: ‘Please be informed that the President has approved the request to utilize all on-hand COVAX donated AstraZeneca vaccine doses as first dose vaccination in order to protect a larger number of frontline healthcare workers in areas witnessing increased transmission’,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque relayed during his online briefing on Friday.
“So, naaprubahan na po ng ating Presidente yung paggamit ng lahat po ng 525,000+ AstraZeneca na nakuha po natin, donasyon galing sa COVAX facility, para gamitin po bilang first dose para sa ating mga frontline workers (So the President has already approved the use of all 525,000+ AstraZeneca [vaccines] which we got as donation from the COVAX facility, to be used as first dose for frontlineres),” he added.
The Palace believes this measure will further expand the reach of the government’s national vaccination program, and at the same time, help authorities to curb the COVID-19 transmission at the soonest time possible. — Mela Lesmoras
