The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing PHP170 million to support the Department of Health (DOH) in its vaccination rollout, the US Embassy in Manila said Thursday.

The Embassy said this new assistance will help Manila strengthen its vaccine supply chain, monitor vaccine safety, and deliver effective communication campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy.

The aid, which brings the total US government support to Manila’s pandemic response to nearly PHP1.3 billion, will also support local government units as they plan for, track, and administer vaccines.

“While the pandemic has tested our peoples and our economies, the strong bonds between Americans and Filipinos will help us rise above this challenge. We will continue to fight this unprecedented global health crisis together,” US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law said.

The announcement was made during his visit to a vaccination site in Caloocan City with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II, and other US and Philippine officials.

The White House has recently announced a PHP194 billion commitment to the COVAX Facility, a global initiative to support early vaccine access for 92 countries, including the Philippines.

The Embassy said an initial PHP97.2-billion contribution, provided through USAID, is supporting the purchase and delivery of safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines.

Through this COVAX facility, the Philippines is expected to receive vaccines to immunize at least 20 percent of its population by the end of 2021. (PNA)