The vaccines are courtesy of the COVAX Facility, an initiative by the World Health Organization, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and GAVI.
The shipment arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 around 9 PM on Monday.
This is the first delivery of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine and the fourth shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility following AstraZeneca deliveries.
The first shipment of vaccines consisting of 487,200 doses was delivered on March 4, 38,400 more doses were delivered on March 7 and the third delivery consisting of 2 million doses was delivered on Saturday, May 8.
"These additional Pfizer vaccines will be used on priority groups A1 to A3, who will be receiving the first dose of these vaccines," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a statement.
DOH added that the first batch of Pfizer vaccines will be distributed across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
"Many of the people who will receive the COVID-19 vaccines arriving today are Filipino healthcare workers – whose dedication and hard work continues to save lives and keep us safe. Healthcare workers are at the front of the line for vaccination because they are risking their health at the frontlines for the rest of us," Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative to the Philippines, said in the same statement.
The COVID-19 vaccine of Pfizer needs a storage temperature of around minus 70 degrees Celsius.
Aside from Pfizer's, the Philippines has received the vaccine candidates of AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Gamaleya Institute.
