President Rodrigo Duterte has approved a deal that would allow local government units to buy vaccines against the novel coronavirus, an official overseeing the effort said Wednesday.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said he met with Duterte on Monday and recommended the approval of the tripartite agreement among local government units, the national government and pharmaceutical firms for the vaccine procurement.
“The President approved it immediately,” he said.
Vaccine manufacturers only deal with the national government, making a tripartite deal with LGUs necessary so they can procure vaccines, National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon earlier said.
“Our LGUs can avail [themselves of] vaccines, but this should be done through a tripartite system or agreement between the vaccine manufacturer, the LGU and the national government,” Dizon said.
“The supply of vaccines is very, very limited and, second, if the government makes the deal, the price is special and lower,” he added.
Several LGUs in Metro Manila have set aside funds for COVID-19 vaccines.
“He is pleased with our LGUs because LGUs have a key role in our vaccination program,” he said.
The national government has yet to procure COVID-19 vaccines as none had been approved for local use yet, but inoculations in the country have been reported, particularly among members of the President’s security team.