2.9M Moderna, Pfizer vaccines arrive in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Millions of COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna arrived in the Philippines ahead of Christmas Day. 

State-run media reported the arrival on Friday morning of over 1.4 million Pfizer shots procured by the government.

In a statement released hours later, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said the country also received 1.53 million Moderna doses donated by the German government. The shipment, which arrived on Thursday, brings the total number of vaccines donated by Germany to the Philippines to 10 million. 

"With the pandemic continuing, it’s very important to build on our strongest instrument which we have and it's still the vaccination," George Maue, economic counselor of the German Embassy, is quoted as saying in the statement. 

"The Philippines [has] a very good and well-functioning vaccination program," he added. “We congratulate the Philippines for that and we’re happy to provide another donation from Germany." 

As of December 23, the Philippines has fully vaccinated 43% of its population, less than half of the 90% that health authorities say must be covered to attain herd immunity. Some 1.23% of Filipinos have received a booster shot. 

The arrival of the Pfizer vaccines comes as the government approves of the shott for emergency use on children ages 5-11.