More U.S. vaccines delivered, more Chinese vaccines due
MANILA – An Air Hong Kong jet arrived at 9:20 P.M. Wednesday with 365,040 doses of Pfizer vaccines.
In an update from the National Task Force Against COVID-19, it was learned Cebu and Davao received 51,480 doses each while the remaining 262,080 have been unloaded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
The plane landed earlier in Cebu where it unloaded 51,480 doses. The vaccines earmarked for Davao have been flown from Manila earlier this morning.
Vaccine Czar and NTF Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. and US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John C. Law were at the NAIA Terminal 3 to receive the vaccines.
Meanwhile, an additional one million Sinopharm vaccines are scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
According to Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian, this is part of China’s promise to “substantially increase the supply of vaccines to the Philippines.
“China will be donating an additional 1 million Sinopharm vaccines that will arrive tomorrow and Saturday,” Ambassador Huang posted in his Facebook page.
He said the cooperation between the Philippine and Chinese governments addressed the need to increase and fast-track vaccine supply and shipment.
He added China was the first country to provide vaccines to the Philippines and has become the primary partner and remained a top priority for vaccine export.
“To date, Chinese vaccines compose more than 50% of the Philippines’ supply, a majority from Sinovac’s Coronavac doses totalling 25.5 million. I am thankful for all those Filipino and Chinese colleagues have been working tirelessly on our vaccine cooperation,” he added. (Melo M. Acuña)
US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires John C. Law (left photo, right) talks with Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. prior to the arrival of Pfizer vaccines last night at NAIA 3. Right photo shows Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian. (NTF Photo and PNA Photo)