The Philippines on Thursday received Japan's donation of over a million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, boosting Manila's supply of jabs.
President Rodrigo Duterte received the donation of 1,124,100 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. The donation is part of Japan's pledge to support Southeast Asian nations with COVID-19 vaccines to fight the pandemic.
"Japan continues to be our strong partner in various development programs... I express my heartfelt gratitude to Japan for all of the assistance you have extended to our country during this challenging time," he said.
President Duterte also urged Filipinos to get vaccinated once jabs are offered to them.
"Let me assure everyone that throughout our vaccination rollout, we will prioritize the safety and quality of all vaccines that we are distributing across the country," he said.
AstraZeneca is part of the Philippines' vaccine portfolio that includes Sinovac, Sputnik V, Moderna, and Pfizer.
The Philippines is is eyeing to inoculate at least 70 million of its people this year to achieve its target of "population protection" by November.
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