By Christine Fabro
The Philippines is expecting the delivery of at least 22,726,060 doses of COVID-19 vaccine this month, the Palace said on Tuesday (August 3).
COVID-19 vaccine deliveries for August 2021:
- AstraZeneca – 415,000 doses donated by the UK
- AstraZeneca – 1,170,000 doses procured by the private sector
- Moderna – 3,000,060 doses donated by the US COVAX facility
- Moderna – 1,600,000 doses procured by the government
- Moderna – 1,000,000 doses procured by the private sector
- Sinovac – 8,400,000 doses procured by the government
- Sinovac – 1,600,000 doses under negotiation
- Pfizer – 1,541,000 doses procured by the government
- Sinopharm – 1,000,000 donated by China
- COVAX – 3,000,000 doses donated
From February to July 2021, the Philippines has already received 33,860,700 vaccine doses in total.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also reported to the public that as of July 31, a total of 56,586,760 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been secured for the national vaccination program.
On vaccine hesitancy
As of August 2, there are a total of 21,210,129 vaccine doses administered in the Philippines. Of this, 11,840,504 were first dose inoculations, while the remaining 9,369,625 were second dose inoculations.
A slow increase in the number of vaccinated senior citizens may pose a challenge in the national government’s vaccination program, but Roque said senior citizens have their reasons on why they choose to skip the jab.
“Unang-una, may mga lolo o lola na mas gustong bigyan ng prayoridad iyong mga mas bata; pangalawa, iyong mga lolo o lola ay natatakot na pumunta doon sa mga vaccination centers dahil baka doon pa sila mahawa; at pangatlo, may mga lolo o lola na [may] concern din sa safety,” Roque said.
The Malacañang spokesperson said that all vaccines that are available in the Philippines are safe and effective, as approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization.
“Wala naman pong bakuna na in-authorize ng ating FDA at ng WHO—WHO na rin po nagsabi, lahat ng bakunang ginagamit natin ay nasa emergency use list po ng WHO na hindi po napatunayang ligtas at epektibo,” Roque said. -rir
