Despite tensions caused by the intrusion of Chinese vessels into Philippine waters, the Duterte administration received on Wednesday an additional 400,000 doses of Sinovac’ CoronaVac vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) from the Chinese government.

The donated vaccines were in addition to the initial 600,000 doses that arrived in the country in February 28, 2021.

“The arrival of these donated vaccines from China is a testament that when all nations are working together, we can surmount any challenges ahead. The Philippine government will continue to strengthen its collaboration with China to finally put an end to this pandemic,” said NTF Chief Implementer and Vaccine Czar Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., a former military officer, in a statement.

The government prioritizes vaccination of healthcare workers in the country to protect them for being at the forefront of the battle against the virus, reiterated Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque 3rd.

Moreover, the country expects to receive almost 2 million Covid-19 vaccine doses by the end of the month through the government’s negotiations with Sinovac and the World Health Organization-led COVAX Facility. One million of which  are procured from China’s Sinovac, while the remaining 979,200 doses are the additional donated AstraZeneca doses through the COVAX Facility.

The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against the intrusion of about 200 Chinese vessels off a reef located within the country’s exclusive economic zone.