Philippines' COVID-19 vaccination drive hit by delivery delays

MANILA: A delay in COVID-19 vaccine deliveries to the Philippines has forced some cities in the capital region to close vaccination sites, complicating Manila's efforts to ramp up its immunisation drive.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday appealed for understanding, while assuring the public "we will have more supply in the coming months and everyone will be vaccinated." Only 4.5 million of the 7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines that were scheduled to arrive in May were delivered, Carlito Galvez, head of the government's vaccine procurement programme, told DZMM radio on Wednesday.