400,000 Sinovac doses arrive as PH sees COVID-19 surge

An additional 400,000 doses of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine, donated by China, arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday morning, March 24, 2021.

This shipment is the second batch of Sinovac vaccines, following the initial arrival of 600,000 doses on February 28.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian were among those who welcomed the vaccines.

Duque noted the opportune timing of the shipment, as the country grapples with a record-high spike in COVID-19 cases.

Senator Go emphasized the importance of this delivery for inoculating medical frontliners and achieving herd immunity within the year.

Ambassador Huang expressed hope that this contribution would accelerate the mass vaccination program and help the country overcome the virus and recover economically.

The doses also arrived amid renewed tension in the West Philippine Sea, after over 200 Chinese vessels were spotted near the Juan Felipe Reef, prompting Manila to file a diplomatic protest against China.