LGUs not allowed to procure, roll out COVID-19 vaccines without tripartite agreement with PH govt, pharmaceutical companies

The Department of Health (DOH) along with the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a joint statement regarding the vaccine procurement of Local Government Units (LGUs). 

The three institutions appreciated the efforts of LGUs; however, the latter have been prohibited to procure and roll out COVID-19 vaccines on their own. Instead, they are required to coordinate with the national government through the NTF and the DOH in a tripartite agreement involving local governments and pharmaceutical companies. 

The purpose of the agreement is to further align the efforts of LGUs with the vaccine initiative of the national government.

Meanwhile, the FDA clarified that the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by the Philippine FDA does not cover the commercial use of the vaccines. Vaccine manufacturers should not be able to sell directly to the LGUs nor to any entity unless they are under the vaccine initiative of the National Government.

Some of the Metro Manila LGUs already started the pre-registration of their COVID-19 vaccination. Several of them made deals with the British vaccine maker AstraZeneca under a tripartite agreement with the national government. 

Here are some of the details we know about their vaccination plans: 

• Mayor Isko Moreno initially did not reveal much information regarding the reservation from two pharmaceutical companies because of a non-disclosure agreement. In a statement on Monday, the Manila City Public Information Office announced that the LGU reserved 800,000 doses from AstraZeneca. 
• In a Facebook post, Mayor Vico Sotto announced that the Pasig City LGU ordered 400,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca worth Php 100 million. Earlier, Sotto announced that the Pasig City LGU will allot 300 million for its vaccination program. 
• Quezon City LGU also secured 1.1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. Mayor Joy Belmonte anticipates that the vaccines will arrive by the 3rd Quarter of 2021. Belmonte revealed that around 550,000 residents are expected to receive two doses of the vaccine. Makati LGU also secured 1 million doses of AstraZeneca. In an interview, Mayor Abby Binay disclosed that the city allocated Php 1 billion for the COVID-19 vaccine procurement program. 
• San Juan City LGU also signed a deal with AstraZeneca. Mayor Francis Zamora announced that they allotted P50 million for the vaccination program. Zamora did not disclose the number of doses they requested. 
• Mandaluyong City LGU announced earlier that they allotted Php 200 million was allotted for its vaccination program. Mayor Carmelita Abalos announced that the city government secured an agreement with AstraZeneca. Abalos hesitated to provide more information on the deal. 
• Caloocan City has signed an agreement with AstraZeneca for the advance purchase of at least 600,000 doses of its COVID-19 vaccine. Mayor Oca Malapitan shared that they allotted P125 million for the procurement of the vaccines. They are also planning for an additional P1 billion budget for the city’s vaccination program.
• Taguig City LGU secured a deal with AstraZeneca. Mayor Lino Cayetano disclosed that a Php 1 billion fund is allocated for the vaccination program from the city’s  P13.5-billion recovery budget. 
• The Navotas City LGU announced that they have secured a deal with AstraZeneca.  According to Mayor Toby Tiangco, the city government P20 million to acquire vaccines and additional funding will also be added depending on the needs of its constituents. The first batch of the vaccines will be inoculated to 50,000 Navotenos. 
• Muntinlupa City LGU secured an advance purchase from AstraZeneca. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed an agreement to secure 100,000 doses to initially inoculate residents in high priority groups.
• Valenzuela City LGU announced it secured 640,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine for its constituents.
• Pasay City LGU allotted P250 million for vaccine procurement. Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano announced that the city aims to inoculate approximately 275,000 persons.
• Parañaque City LGU is aiming to inoculate at least 300,000 residents with the COVID-19 vaccine. Mayor Edwin Olivarez announced that the city government allotted P250-million for its vaccination program this year. The city government also has an additional P1 billion “standby” fund for the program. Initially, Olivarez wanted to negotiate with Belgium-based Janssen Pharmaceutica once it is approved by the FDA.
• Marikina City LGU will coordinate with the private sector to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for its residents. This is on top of the vaccination program worth Php 82.7 million funds allocated from the City’s 2021 budget. 

The following cities also announced doses they secure with AstraZeneca: 

• Baguio City LGU secured 190,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for 70% of its population.
• Dagupan City LGU secured 40,000 doses. 
• Davao City LGU secured COVID-19 vaccines for 1.2 million residents.
• Iloilo City LGU secured 600,000 doses of the vaccine for 300,000 Iloilo residents. 
• Vigan City LGU secured over 100,000 doses.
• Zamboanga City LGU secured 410,000 dozes for 205,000 residents.