PH to Receive US Vaccine Donations

The Philippines has been officially named by The White House as one of the countries to receive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine donations from the United States (US), according to the United States Embassy in Manila.

The arrival of the said vaccines is expected soon.

Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law reiterated US President Joe Biden’s commitment to aid other countries in the fight against COVID-19 through vaccine donation in a virtual briefing Friday.

“The President’s been very clear on the US commitment to help countries throughout the world on this. We’re going to be seeing vaccines in significant numbers arriving in the Philippines and countries all around the world,” he said.

While the vaccine donations for Manila will arrive “soon,” Law cited the logistical aspects of the donation will determine the date of the arrival of vaccines.

The US is targeting a donation of about 80 million doses of US-made COVID-19 vaccines around the world by the end of June this year.

Moreover, the US has recently announced a donation of 19 million doses to the COVAX facility which beneficiaries will share, including the Philippines.

Of the 19 million doses that the COVAX facility will receive, seven million doses will be distributed throughout Asia. Countries and other areas included are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, the Pacific Islands, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. (GFB)