Time to speed up rollout: Rufus Rodriguez thanks US for COVID-19 vaccine donation

By Billy Begas

Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez thanked the United States for deciding to donate part of its surplus AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines and other countries.

Rodriguez said the donation would expedite the government’s vaccination program and achieve population protection much sooner.

“We are grateful for the donation, which will strengthen our diplomatic ties with the US,” said Rodriguez. “We should anticipate a surge in supply and prepare to scale up vaccination.”

In April, Rodriguez urged the US to donate its excess COVID-19 vaccine supply to the Philippines. At that time, only China’s Sinovac was available in the Philippines.

“Our access to western-made vaccines will lessen our country’s dependence on China’s vaccines and give Filipinos vaccination options,” Rodriguez said then.

The US is sharing an initial 7 million doses to the Philippines, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)