DOH: Vaccine to still undergo regulatory process

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the signing of a formal deal for the Philippines to purchase 2.6 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, the Department of Health (DOH) reiterated on Saturday that the vaccine would still undergo the country’s regulatory processes before it could be given permission to be used here.

Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the deal was intended to ensure the private sector would secure the vaccine supply in advance. But this did not mean that any of the Philippines’ requirements would be waived, said Vergeire.

—Leila B. Salaverria