U.S. donates 3 million doses of Moderna vaccine

THE UNITED States, through the COVAX facility, donated some 3 million doses of Moderna vaccine to the Philippines as part of its worldwide effort to help end Covid-19 pandemic.

A U.S. Embassy photo released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner shows the donated Moderna vaccine.

COVAX refers to Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access facility, a global initiative to support equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines. This is Washington’s second bilateral vaccine donation to the Philippines, following its July delivery of 3.2 million one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the country.

The vaccines arrived on August 3 at the Villamor Air Base. The donation came at a time that the country has reported a spike in Covid-19 cases due to the Delta variant which was first detected in India and quickly spread around the globe.

“Recent outbreaks in the region remind us all this pandemic is not yet over, but the science is clear – the best way to stay healthy, to keep your loved ones safe, and to bring this pandemic to an end is to get vaccinated,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law.

“The United States is working, and will continue to work, with the Philippines to make safe, effective vaccines widely available throughout the country,” he added.

The Philippines has now received more than 13.3 million vaccine doses through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), a global initiative run by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to support equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines. The U.S. is the largest monetary contributor to Gavi, having already provided nearly P100 billion ($2 billion) to the Alliance.

The U.S. has worked closely with Philippine stakeholders throughout the pandemic to protect public health and support the local response to Covid-19. To date, total U.S. government Covid-19 assistance to the Philippines amounts to over P1.37 billion ($27.5 million). (Rhoderick Benez and Malou Cablinda)