Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III expressed gratitude to Japan for donating more than one million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.
The Japanese government donated a total of 1,124,100 AstraZeneca vaccine doses. President Duterte welcomed the shipment in a ceremony at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday night, July 8.
"Our gratitude for Japan’s unwavering and long-standing support is endless. We are particularly grateful for the support to the Philippines through this pandemic," said Duque during the ceremony.
“These vaccines are indeed a welcome addition to our arsenal, to reinforce our ongoing efforts, to respond to the ever evolving COVID-19 threat,” he added.
With these additional vaccines, the Philippines can further expand its vaccination program in order to reach more vulnerable sectors of the population, said Duque.
“ contribute to our common goal of preventing further mutations of the virus and ending COVID-19 globally,” he said.
“Truly, this gesture of solidarity by Japan reflects our common efforts of building global communities and brings us one step closer to our shared aspiration to win this fight against COVID-19,” he added.
“As it has been said, no one is safe until everyone is safe. Indeed, we look forward to defeating this virus together,” he furthered.
These vaccines will be distributed to areas experiencing a spike in cases, said the Health chief.
Some of the areas experiencing a surge in cases include Iloilo City, Davao City Cagayan De Oro, Zamboanga area, he said.