By Christine Fabro
The first batch of government- and private sector-procured Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are arriving here on Sunday (June 27) evening.
A total of 249,600 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines will arrive in the Philippines at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday via Flight SQ918 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 Bay 114.
Of which, 150,000 doses were government-procured while 99,600 doses were meant for the private sector group under the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).
Earlier in April, ICTSI Chair Enrique Razon, Jr. called the 20-million doses of Moderna vaccines’ tripartite agreement the largest combined national government, local government, and private sector order for vaccines.
“When deliveries arrive at the end of the second quarter [of 2021], we shall immediately roll out our vaccination program for employees, their direct dependents and extended household members,” Razon said during the annual shareholders’ meeting of ICTSI on April 15.
Moderna uses the mRNA technology, a new type of vaccine technology that gives instruction for cells to make a spike protein – a harmless piece found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Meanwhile, another one million Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine doses will arrive on Monday (June 28) morning. -rir
