President Duterte on Thursday expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its donation of more than 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to the Philippines.
During the turnover rites of 1.124 million coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) jabs developed by AstraZeneca, Duterte thanked the Japanese government for helping the Philippine government have an “equitable” access to vaccines.
“These more than 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will surely go a long way in our quest for herd immunity,” Duterte said in a speech delivered at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
Duterte said the Philippines and Japan’s cooperation in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic indicates the two countries’ “deep friendship.”
“Japan continues to be our strong partner in various development programs,” he said. “Again, I express my heartfelt gratitude to Japan for all of the assistance you have extended to our country during these challenging times.”
Duterte also thanked Japan for ensuring the “safe and efficient” delivery of AstraZeneca vaccines to the Philippines and preserving the jabs’ quality and integrity by providing cold-chain transport and ancillaries.
The donation of the 1.124 million vials of AstraZeneca vaccine to the Philippines is part of the Japanese government’s initiatives to support Southeast Asian nations amid the pandemic.
In a message read by Minister Nakata Masahiro of the Embassy of Japan, Prime Minister of Japan Suga Yoshihide said, “Japan has ensured to provide Covid-19 vaccines to the Philippines. This initiative is a clear testament to the deep-rooted bonds of friendship between our two nations. As we commemorate this year the 65th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-Philippines diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of our strategic partnership, Japan will work to surpass the unprecedented challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, in unison with the Philippines, a true friend closer than a brother.”
At the same, Duterte renewed his call on his fellow Filipinos to get vaccinated against Covid-19 to stop its further transmission.
Duterte reassured the public that Covid-19 vaccines being delivered to the country are “safe and effective.”
With PNA