Philippines receives COVID-19 vaccine after delays

28/2/2021 19:06

        The Philippines received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccine Sunday, among the last in Southeast Asia to secure the critical doses despite having the second-highest number of coronavirus infections and deaths in the hard-hit region.
        
        A Chinese military transport aircraft carrying 600,000 doses of vaccine donated by China arrived in an air base in the capital in a late-afternoon event beamed live on state-run TV. President Rodrigo Duterte and top Cabinet officials welcomed the delivery of the vaccine from China-based Sinovac Biotech Ltd. in a televised ceremony that underscored their relief after weeks of delays, officials said.
        
        Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, "That plane is carrying hope that we can finally return to our lives and light for our very dark journey."
        
        Vaccinations initially of health workers and top officials led by the health secretary were scheduled to start in six Metropolitan Manila hospitals Monday.