MANILA -- An additional 1,065,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines donated by the Japanese government arrived in the Philippines on Saturday, October 30.

To date, a total of 3,085,700 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines donated by Japan have been shipped to the Philippines.

“This is an example of how [the] Philippines - Japanese alliance further strengthens every time we try to help each other especially in times of need,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said.

NTF special adviser Dr. Teodoro Herbosa expressed optimism that the country will be able to achieve a daily jab rate of 1 million to 1.5 million doses.

“We’re trying to get more volunteers. The CHED (Commission on Higher Education) has allowed its medical students, nursing students, and dental students to assist LGUs to vaccinate,” Herbosa said.

He noted the CHED has identified State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) as additional vaccination sites as part of its efforts to help ramp up the country's vaccination throughput.

Herbosa also encouraged those who have not yet to been inoculated against COVID-19 to get the jab as soon as possible.
“Those of you who are still hesitant, magpa rehistro na po kayo sa LGUs ninyo at wala na tayong issue na kulang sa bakuna. Marami na pong bakuna,” he said.

Japan Embassy Economic minister Masahiro Nakata, AstraZeneca Philippines country president Lotis Ramin, and, AstraZeneca’s head of government affairs Victor Sepulveda also witnessed the arrival of the AstraZeneca vaccines. (National Task Force Against COVID-19)