It’s Pfizer or AstraZeneca for now for Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Will President Rodrigo  Duterte take the Pfizer or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine?

The two vaccines are the only ones so far approved for emergency use in the Philippines.

President Duterte will discuss his vaccine choice with his doctor, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday amid preparations for the rollout of the government’s mass vaccination drive next week.

“Let’s just say this issue will have to be discussed by the President with his physicians,” Roque said at a press briefing.

The President prefers to be injected with the Chinese or Russian vaccine, but neither has received an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.

Roque earlier said Duterte was a priority in the vaccination drive for being a senior citizen.

—Leila B. Salaverria