The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech is scheduled to arrive in the country on Sunday, Feb. 28, according to Malacañang.
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque announced this in a press briefing on Thursday noon.
“Inaasahan na darating sa araw ng Linggo… ang Sinovac kaya excited na tayong lahat,” Roque stated.
Earlier, Sinovac general manager Helen Yang said they were working very closely with the Chinese customs bureau to clear the shipment of 600,000 doses that will be donated by Beijing to the Philippine government.
Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine was recently granted with the emergency use authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Feb. 22.
Philippine authorities are assessing which of the priority sectors in the country’s vaccination program will receive the 500,000 allocation. The other 100,000 doses are specifically allocated to the Department of National Defense.
This will be the first vaccines to arrive in the country after COVID-19 shots from US-based Pfizer were delayed due to documentary requirements and changes.
