MANILA – An economic expert said on Saturday that the newest supply of single-dose coronavirus vaccine donated by the US government will aid the country’s recovery.
An Emirates aircraft delivered 1,606,600 doses of the Janssen-manufactured Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine on Saturday afternoon, bringing the total doses provided through the WHO-led Covax Facility to 3.212 million.
The first shipment came on Friday.
“More than 90 percent of our people are not affected by the virus and this will help them go back to work,” Economic Planning Secretary Karl Chua told reporters during the welcome ceremonies at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
Chua previously stated in an interview that vaccine distribution should be expedited, especially in malls and workplaces, and locations with the highest risk of infection should be addressed.
Chua was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., US Embassy Charges d’Affaires John Law, UNICEF nutrition manager Alice Nkoroi, and representatives from the National Task Force Against Covid-19 and the Department of Health.
US President Joe Biden had committed to provide 80 million free vaccines around the world.
The J&J vaccine will be distributed throughout the country, with an additional supply available in areas where the more transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus has been found.
According to the DOH, the vaccine is 67% effective against moderate to severe cases and 77% to 85% effective against severe to critical infections.
The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Immunization Experts suggests using the J&J jab as a single dose (0.5 milliliter).
A minimum of 14 days should elapse between the administration of the Janssen vaccine and other vaccines against other health issues.
