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Just after the cities of Makati, Manila and San Juan announced that they had already set aside funds to purchase Covid-19 vaccines for their constituents, the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday urged local government units (LGU) to work with them. for an “effective distribution” and a “unified effort” for the implementation of the vaccination rollout.
The Undersecretary of Health, María Rosario Vergeire, said that the authorization for emergency use (USA) only allows the national government to acquire a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“The vaccine will only be available for the market if a product registration certificate has been issued. Phase 3 of the clinical trial has not yet finished, but there were waivers due to the public health emergency. In saying that, we urge local government units to work with us because we can pool the funds. The national government can acquire and we can have an effective distribution system, ”said Vergeire.
Vergeire said this is why they are asking the LGUs to achieve a “unified effort” to “avoid technicalities” so they can monitor as well.
“We must remember that the national immunization program is based on the mandate of the Department of Health. So hopefully local governments will work with us. We can assure local governments that based on the prioritization list, they are listed based on the priority that was specified or [that was] officially decided now ”, emphasized Vergeire.
“Try to work with us so we can have a more effective vaccination implementation implementation,” he prompted her.
Makati
Makati Mayor Abigail Binay said the city government has allocated P1 billion to purchase Covid-19 vaccines to ensure that all Makati citizens are vaccinated for free.
Binay said Makati city officials are coordinating with Vaccine Czar Carlito Gálvez Jr. and the Interagency Covid-19 Task Force (IATF) to finalize the details of the purchase and mass vaccination.
“This is our number one priority for 2021. I want each and every Makatizen to receive both doses of the coronavirus vaccine for free to protect them and their families against the virus,” he said.
He added: “We have seen the damage it can cause both to human lives and to our economy. After all we have lost this year, we will do whatever it takes to protect our residents, employees and our business community. “
The mayor said she will ask the City Council to approve a supplemental budget as soon as the city gets the go-ahead from the IATF.
“We will exhaust all means to obtain the much-needed vaccines in advance and vaccinate all the citizens of Makat. The city will also help businesses and businesses that wish to purchase vaccines for their employees and workers. Our goal is 100 percent vaccination in Makati, ”he said.
He added that preparations are underway for online registration to ensure safe and convenient access for Makat citizens to free vaccination against Covid-19.
San Juan
Mayor Francis Zamora said the city has allocated P50 million to buy vaccines.
Zamora said that the City Council is coordinating with the national government and speaking with pharmaceutical companies to ensure vaccines.
It will carry out a registry for those who want to benefit from the free vaccine.
Manila
Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has launched a website for Manila residents to join the pre-registration process for the free Covid vaccine.
Domagoso said the city government is allocating P250 million from the city budget for 2021.
He also assured the public that the vaccine they will receive is safe and effective, as certified by the Food and Drug Administration.
