Chinese vaccines arriving in Manila this Sunday
MANILA – Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said the 600,000 doses of Sinovac-made vaccines known as “CoronaVac” donated by China will arrive in the Philippines this coming Sunday, February 28,2021.
“Both teams have been working round the clock to make it happen,” Ambassador Huang said in a statement released at 1:00 P.M. today.
He said it has been “a fine tradition” between China and the Philippines to help each other in trying times.
Ambassador Huang described the donation of vaccines is “another testament” to the solidarity as well as profound friendship and partnership between Filipinos and Chinese nationals.
He expressed his appreciation to everyone who made the delivery possible as he expressed optimism the vaccines will help launch the country’s mass inoculation campaign to stop the pandemic and allow the Filipinos to return to normal conditions at the earliest possible time.
“Our friendship and partnership amid this pandemic will continue to grow and prosper as we fight against the pandemic hand in hand,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque, speaking at a press briefing from Negros Oriental province at midday today, said ranking Philippine officials will meet the shipment together with Chinese Embassy officials.
Secretary Roque said medical frontline workers at the University of the Philippines’ Philippine General Hospital in Manila will receive the first jabs by Monday, March 1,2021.
Speaking at the same press briefing, UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo D. Legazpi said it was a pleasant surprise to learn the vaccines will arrive this Sunday and that first inoculation will be held at the PGH.
Dr. Legazpi said all vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are considered safe and its efficacy is assured.
‘We were preparing for the arrival of Pfizer vaccines and we have already bought freezers and refrigerators for the it,” he said. He added 94% gave their consent and would not venture into giving numbers of actual personnel who would come for the jab.
He said 75% of the PGH staff said they are willing to be inoculated and went on to say it’s “a good number.”
Now that Sinovac will be delivered, Dr. Legazpi said during the coming days, they would work on how people would further understand the announcement made by the Food and Drug Administration.
“It was a pleasant surprise to learn of the development. We will gladly prepare for the event,” he said. (Melo M. Acuña)
Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian (left), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (center) and UP-PGH Director Gerardo Legazpi (right). (Photos from Chinese Embassy website/Screen grab from RTVM/PCOO Press briefing February 25,2021/Melo M. Acuna)