There will be an early rollout of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines next month.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said during a visit at the Vaccination Hub in Lakeshore Complex, Taguig City, said they are expecting more than 1 million doses to be delivered in the Philippines.

RELATED STORY: Robredo volunteers to take COVID-19 vaccine shot in public 

Galvez also assured that the country will achieve the vaccination of 60 to 70 percent of its population by the fourth quarter of 2021.

He said that the vaccines will arrive in time for the initial rollout next month.

He also revealed that the worst-case scenario for the vaccination program to reach at least 60 percent of its people is in the first semester of 2022.

Galvez reacted to the report by The Economist saying that the Philippines will finish its widespread vaccination of 60 percent of its population by the fourth quarter of 2023.

READ ON: PH to receive 30 to 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX

He added that under the government’s timeline, the main delivery is in the 3rd quarter and 4th quarter of the year. Just in case there will be delays, it will be until the 1st quarter of 2022.

The country has already secured 25 million COVID-19 vaccines from China’s Sinovac, 30 million from Serum Institute of India and Novovax, about 20 million vaccines from AstraZeneca, and up to 40 million vaccines from the COVAX facility. (ES)