The Australian government will donate P480.2 million to the Philippines for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson made the announcement via Twitter on Thursday.
I have informed Secretaries @teddyboylocsin@SecDuque Galvez & Dizon of Australia’s additional commitment of AUD13.72M (PHP480.2M) to buy #COVID19 vaccine for the ????????. This will make an important contribution to meeting the country’s vaccine needs in 2021. #mateshipandbayanihan
— Steven J. Robinson AO (@AusAmbPH) June 17, 2021
Robinson said the Philippines will receive additional procurement and end-to-end distribution support to meet its needs under Australia’s new agreement with UNICEF to purchase safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
Australia has partnered with UNICEF to procure doses for up to 15 million people in the Pacific and Southeast Asia as part of its $523 million regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative.
Robinson said this new commitment is in addition to Australia’s support through the COVAX initiative.
He said he already informed Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and testing czar Vince Dizon regarding the said donation.
“This will make an important contribution to meeting the country’s vaccine needs in 2021,” Robinson said.
The Philippines has so far procured 13.2 million vaccine doses. The government started its COVID-19 vaccination program last March 1.
Vaccine brands delivered to the Philippines to date include Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Sputnik V.—AOL, GMA News
The Australian government will donate P480.2 million to the Philippines for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
