The Philippines on Sunday night received its first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, bringing the country's vaccine inventory to 14.3 million as the government expands inoculation in more priority areas.
A total of 249,600 doses arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, a portion of which was procured by the private sector. A million more doses of Moderna are expected in July.
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Moderna was the seventh vaccine brand to get emergency use approval from the Food and Drug Administration and claims to be 95% effective against the virus based on clinical trials.
The American biotech firm has agreed to supply the Philippine government 13 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. Ports tycoon Enrique Razon led a private sector order for 20 million doses.
The country aims to achieve "population protection" by November this year, with at least 50 million people vaccinated.
