Local government units (LGUs) may pick their preferred brand of COVID-19 vaccines using local funds, according to vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez.
Clarifying earlier reports, Galvez hinted that LGUs that plan to purchase COVID-19 vaccines have the autonomy to choose AstraZeneca or other brands.
“Hindi kasi puwede dumiretso ang LGUs sa lahat ng vaccine makers. Kinausap namin ang vaccine makers, at ang pumayag lang po [na makadidiretso ang LGUs] ay AstraZeneca, Novovax at Moderna. Pina-finalize po namin ang tripartite agreement,” Galvez was quoted as saying at the Laging Handa press briefing.
“Sa ngayon po, itong tatlong vaccine makers ang puwedeng pagpilian ng ating mga LGUs,” Galvez added.
Galvez earlier said 50,000 Filipinos are expected to get COVID-19 vaccine by February adding that the government remains focused in its target, which is to inoculate 50 to 70 million Filipinos.
In a related development, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III identified a total of 4,512 fixed vaccination points in the country where COVID-19 immunization will be conducted.