PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte personally welcomed the arrival of the initial shipment of 1.5 million doses of American-made Moderna vaccines as part of the three million doses donated by the United States government to the Philippines.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport said the three million shipment of Moderna vaccines was scheduled to arrive today but due to some technical problem in COVAX, the total doses of shipment was reduced to half.

According to the Manila International Airport Authority-Media Affairs Division (MIAA-MAD), the US-made vaccines will arrive at the Kalayaan Presidential Hangar in Villamor Airbase tarmac via Qatar Airways flight QR 932 for the turn-over and acceptance.

Duterte was assisted by Health Secretary Franciso Duque lll, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Charge’d’ Affaires John C. Law, from the US Embassy welcomed the initial shipment of 1.5 million doses of US made Moderna vaccines from the US via Qatar.

From the 1.5 million doses, about 406,800 doses will proceed to the private sectors while the remaining 1,093.20 doses will proceed to the DOH and immediately transported to PharmaServ Express cold storage in Marikina City to maintain the temperature of -25°C to-15°C.

The Philippines is expected to receive about three million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States government, representing the largest-ever purchase and donation of vaccines by a single country.

Airport sources said the remaining doses will be delivered to the country soon to complete the three million doses as reported.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Willy M. Balasa