COVID-19 vaccination program to prioritize vulnerable, disadvantaged —DOH

January 12 ------ The national government will prioritize the vulnerable and disadvantaged in the rollout of vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Health (DOH) vowed Monday after several cities announced that they had secured vaccines. “The DOH recognizes the equity issues raised on the distribution of the vaccine. We assure the public that the national government adheres to the principle of equity where delivery of services are biased towards the vulnerable and the disadvantaged,” it said in a statement.

Malacañang previously said frontline health workers, senior citizens, members of the indigent population, and uniformed personnel were the priority groups in the distribution of vaccines. Several local government units, including Vigan, Caloocan, Makati, Navotas, and Pasig earlier announced that they had secured thousands of doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for their residents. The DOH reiterated that only the national government is allowed to purchase vaccines granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration.

“This must be coordinated with the national government, through the NTF (National Task Force Against COVID-19) and the DOH in a tripartite agreement involving local governments and pharmaceutical companies. This is meant to align the efforts of LGUs with the vaccine initiative of the national government,” the department said. Earlier on Monday, senators questioned the national government’s “monopoly” in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, which they said prevents the private sector from dealing directly with manufacturers.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said dealing only with national governments is the global practice. The Philippines has so far secured 30 million doses of vaccines from India’s Serum Institute, 25 million from China’s Sinovac, and 2.6 million from AstraZeneca. Galvez said some 50,000 Filipinos will be vaccinated in February.

Source: gmanetwork.com