FILE PHOTO: A girl prepares to receive her COVID-19 vaccine at a mall in Antipolo City on February 19, 2022. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has received over 2 million pediatric COVID-19 vaccines from Australia to ramp up immunization coverage among children.
The initial tranche is part of the 6 million pediatric Pfizer vaccine doses that the Australian Government, through the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef), will donate to the Philippines until the end of the year.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported Friday that an additional 720,000 pills would arrive within the week.
“Promoting children’s health and well-being is everyone’s responsibility. Helping children recover from the effects of COVID-19 requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society. By strengthening our partnerships and growing our collaboration with one another, we achieve more for children,” said Unicef Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov.
Richard Sisson, Chargé d’Affaires of the Australian Embassy to the Philippines, said: “We are pleased to be playing a role in ensuring all Filipino children can recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These vaccines are an important part of the Australian Government’s support for children in the Philippines, which extends across the health, education sectors, and protection from abuse and exploitation.”
Meanwhile, DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire has thanked the Australian Government and Unicef for the donation.
“We thank Unicef and the Australian government for their unwavering support to promote the health of every Juan and Juana,” she said.
“With this new batch of vaccines, we hope that more parents will get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 for their protection and continued safe learning,” she continued.
Aside from the anti-coronavirus vaccines for kids, Australia’s support also included solar-powered vaccine refrigerators, walk-in cold rooms, personal protective equipment, and spare parts.
It likewise extended a hand in training 490 health staff on cold chain management.
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