The Philippines received on Wednesday, March 24, 400,000 additional doses of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines developed by China's Sinovac Biotech.

Key government officials welcomed the arrival of the vaccines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City at around 7 a.m.
These donated vaccines were in addition to the initial 600,000 doses that arrived last Feb. 28.
"The additional donated CoronaVac vaccines will be instrumental in the country’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program, especially at this moment when a persistent increase in cases is being observed," the Department of Health (DOH) and National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) said in a joint statement.
“We are grateful for the arrival of additional donated vaccines. The arrival of these vaccines could not have occurred at a more opportune time considering the continued rise in cases, which in turn increases the need to inoculate more high-risk individuals as soon as possible,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Vaccine Czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. described the arrival of China's donated vaccines as "a testament that when all nations are working together, we can surmount any challenges ahead.”
"The Philippine government will continue to strengthen its collaboration with China to finally put an end to this pandemic,” he said.
Duque, meanwhile, reiterated the existing prioritization framework for the COVID-19 vaccines.
“We shall see to it that all of our healthcare workers, not just in the National Capital Region but in the whole country, are given the protection they need and deserve for being at the forefront of the battle against the virus,” the Health chief said.