“We might extend the deadline but we’re still waiting for further advice from the (DOH) central office,” Loreche said. Central Visayas received from the national government 30,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and 80,760 doses of CoronaVac, a vaccine produced by Chinese firm Sinovac Boiotech. Half of the Sinovac vaccines had been set aside for the second dose which would be given 28 days after the first dose. The AstraZeneca vaccines will expire on May 31 while those from Sinovac will be good until Jan. 13, 2024, Loreche said. Dr. Joan Antonette Albito, Central Visayas medical coordinator of the National Immunization Program, said it was a challenge to convince people to get vaccinated.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 25, 2021 21:00 UTC