MANILA -- The Philippines received another shipment of 1,014,390 doses of government-procured Pfizer vaccines, as the country ramps up the vaccination of the youth sector.

Of the latest vaccine shipment, 813,150 doses were allocated for Metro Manila. Cebu City received its allocation of 100,620 doses today, while 100,620 doses will be shipped to Davao City on Friday, October 22.

In an interview following the arrival of the vaccines, NTF Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said that more than 4,000 children have already received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, with only 4 reported cases of minor adverse reaction.

“We’re very happy to report that the vaccination of children is very successful in the first week,” Galvez said.

An additional 23 hospitals in the National Capital Region will start inoculating minors aged 12 to 17 starting October 22.

Meanwhile, U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Heather Variava said she had visited one of the hospitals in Metro Manila to witness the inoculation of children.
“We’re delighted that more is coming in the Philippines specifically because we’re vaccinating children ages 12 and above. I had the opportunity to visit a hospital in Manila today when I saw some of the children being vaccinated,” Variava said.
To date, 11,682,450 doses out of the 40 million doses of Pfizer vaccines purchased by the government from the US-based pharmaceutical firm have been delivered to the country.
Over 1 million doses of procured Pfizer vaccines will be delivered on Friday evening, October 22. (National Task Force against COVID-19)