(PHOTO FROM DOH)
MANILA, Philippines — Over 390,000 bivalent COVID-19 vaccine doses from the Lithuanian government arrived in the country on Saturday night, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
In a Facebook post, the DOH said it received the bivalent vaccines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
“It is with great pleasure that we have received such generous donations from the Lithuanian government and our sincerest gratitude to our partner agencies for being one with the DOH in seeing that within our reach is a bountiful future, one that is most achievable starting with ensuring that we have sufficient protection against the COVID-19 virus,” DOH officer-in-charge Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
“To every eligible Juan and Juana, we urge everyone to get the opportunity to gain longer and stronger protection by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Together, let us move towards a healthier Pilipinas,” she added.
The DOH earlier said healthcare workers, senior citizens and individuals with comorbidities will be prioritized.
The donated vaccines were received by representatives from the DOH, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Customs, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania Julia Netta Vildzius Peña, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union to the Philippines Dr. Ana-Isabel Sanchez-Ruiz.
According to DOH, the Lithuanian government offered to donate the vaccines in January this year, but the negotiations to get them started as early as August 2022.
As of March 19, DOH’s latest data showed that a total of over 179 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered.