Singapore has received its first batch of coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech, the first Asian country to do so.

The Ministry of Health in Singapore said that the vaccines arrived in the city-state Monday evening at about 8 pm. Its arrival marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s fight against COVID-19.

“This is the culmination of months of discussions with pharmaceutical companies and the hard work of many public officers working behind the scenes to secure early access to safe and effective vaccines for our population,” the post said.

RELATED STORY: Singapore ‘cruise to nowhere’ returns to port after detecting one passenger with COVID-19

The vaccines will undergo a thorough inspection to ensure that they are received in good condition.

The health department said that a cold chain was maintained during transportation from the manufacturing plant to Singapore.

“Thereafter the vaccines will be placed in a storage facility with capabilities to handle ultra-cold storage at about -80°C, until we begin vaccination. At that point, the vaccines will be thawed and transported to the vaccination site, where it can be kept in refrigerators at 2°C to 8°C for up to five days,” the statement added.

Only vaccines that meet strict standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness will be used in Singapore.

READ ON: COVID-19 survivor in Singapore reportedly gives birth to baby with COVID-19 antibodies

“We have procured enough vaccines for all Singaporeans and long-term residents in Singapore to get vaccinated by the end of 2021, if there are no unforeseen disruptions to vaccine shipment,” the statement added.

Priority will be given to healthcare workers and COVID-19 frontline workers, who are at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 and hence most in need of COVID-19 vaccination.

“While COVID-19 vaccination will be voluntary, we strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated when the vaccine is offered to you,” the government added. (TDT)