3.5M Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines arrive in PH

Arrival of the latest shipment of Sinovac vaccines at the NAIA. Image from NTF

MANILA, Philippines — Over 3.5 million doses of China-made Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine were delivered to the Philippines on Wednesday.

The vaccine doses, which were procured by the national government, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Wednesday morning, according to the National Task Force against COVID-19.

As of Nov. 16, the Philippines has received a total of 124.9 million COVID-19 vaccine doses since March this year, when the government rolled out its vaccination program.

The fresh delivery brings the total received doses to some 128.4 million.

The Department of Health has recommended using Moderna, Pfizer, and Sinovac vaccines as booster shots for healthcare workers.

Health workers may get their booster doses starting Nov. 17.

So far, over 31 million Filipinos have completed the required COVID-19 doses, meaning they are fully vaccinated against the severe respiratory disease.

EDV