Over a million doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines donated by the Japanese government arrived here Saturday afternoon.
The latest batch of Covid-19 jabs will help boost the government’s target of administering one million doses daily, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 special medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The country was able to administer 700,000 doses on Friday.
“We are planning to tap medical and dental students to help us hasten the vaccination (rollout),” Herbosa said.
He said recipients of the latest vaccine delivery are Regions 4-A, 3, 8 and10 — regions that are highly populated.
Initial vaccine supplies were delivered to the National Capital Region (NCR) and other highly urbanized areas.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Dodo Dulay thanked the Japanese government for the Covid-19 vaccine donation.
“They have always been our supporters. Our alliance with each other further strengthens our development,” Dulay said.
There are now over three million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from the Japanese government, and more are coming, the officials said.
Meanwhile, Japan Embassy Economic Nakata Masahiro said he hopes their vaccine provisions will help the Philippines reach its population herd immunity as soon as possible.
Source: Philippines News Agency