QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Cabinet officials join United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law in welcoming the U.S. Government’s delivery of over 3 million doses of Moderna vaccine to the Philippines on Tuesday, Aug. 3.
The shipment, comprising a total of 3,000,060 doses of Moderna vaccine, was provided directly to the Philippines by the U.S. Government, as part of its worldwide effort to help end COVID-19.
The delivery was made possible via the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, a global initiative to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.This is the U.S. government’s second bilateral vaccine donation to the Philippines, following its July delivery of 3.2 million one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the country.
Photo courtesy of US Embassy in Manila
Among the top officials who joined in the event include Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, Secretary of Health Francisco Duque III, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Eduardo Año, IATF Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, and other stakeholders, who all welcomed the arrival of the Moderna vaccines at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
“Recent outbreaks in the region remind us all this pandemic is not yet over, but the science is clear – the best way to stay healthy, to keep your loved ones safe, and to bring this pandemic to an end is to get vaccinated.The United States is working, and will continue to work, with the Philippines to make safe, effective vaccines widely available throughout the country,” said Chargé d’Affaires Law.
The Philippines has now received more than 13.3 million vaccine doses through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), a global initiative run by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.The United States is the largest monetary contributor to Gavi, having already provided nearly Php100 billion ($2 billion) to the Alliance.
The United States has worked closely with Philippine stakeholders throughout the pandemic to protect public health and support the local response to COVID-19.
To date, total U.S. Government COVID-19 assistance to the Philippines amounts to over P1.37 billion ($27.5 million).
(US Embassy/PIA-NCR)
