Philippines receives first batch of donated Sinopharm vaccines from China

The Philippines received its first batch of over 739,200 donated Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine doses from China on Friday, August 20.

President Rodrigo Duterte thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for the donation during a live briefing, emphasizing its importance amid rising COVID-19 cases and geopolitical tensions.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III welcomed the arrival of Sinopharm vaccines at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, stating they would aid in accelerating the country's vaccination drive during the public health crisis.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian announced that these donations are part of China’s pledge to significantly increase vaccine supplies to the Philippines, with Chinese vaccines now composing over half of the total supply.

The second tranche of 260,800 doses will be delivered on Saturday to complete the promised one million doses, which Health Secretary Duque said would help ramp up vaccination coverage in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and other regions experiencing a spike in infections.

President Duterte emphasized his neutrality in relations with both the United States and China while urging Filipinos to get vaccinated once their turn comes, and health officials were called upon to ensure safe and effective distribution of the vaccines amid the spread of COVID-19 variants.