Later in the day, 22,000 doses arrived in Bicol. These were transported to the DOH’s Vaccine Storage Facility after arriving at the Legazpi Airport.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) — Thousands of COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by British company AstraZeneca arrived in Cebu City, Davao City, and Bicol on Wednesday.
Dr. Rita Ang-Bon, DOH Bicol COVID-19 focal person said the vaccines are intended for hospital healthcare workers only. The next batch will be given to LGUs.
The first batch of 30,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from the global COVAX facility arrived in Lapu-Lapu City. It was transported to the storage facility in the Department of Health regional office in Cebu City.
DOH Central Visayas spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche said the vaccines will be allocated for healthcare workers above 60 years old.
Meanwhile, Davao City received 20,000 doses that will be used to vaccinate medical frontliners in the Davao Region.
Dr. Janis Olivades, the vaccination program head in the region, said they will prioritize inoculating healthcare workers above 60 and those with comorbidities who opted to wait out the vaccination when Sinovac was the only brand available.
“This will also be used for our level 3 hospitals. For now, we do not have the breakdown of distribution of AstraZeneca but we will start rolling it out on weekend,” she said.
The Philippines has inoculated over 44,000 so far, mostly healthcare workers, with Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.
CNN Philippines stringers Dale Israel, Pearl Gajunera and Rosas Olarte contributed to this report.
