The Quezon City government has tapped United Kingdom-based AstraZeneca for its vaccination drive against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-12).
The Facebook page of the Quezon City said Mayor Joy Belmonte, AstraZeneca and the National Task Force against Covid-19 signed a tripartite deal for the supply of at least 750,000 doses of the company’s vaccines.
“We are ready to purchase. After implementing our test, isolate, and treat strategy, vaccination is our game plan now. This free vaccination program will definitely complete our efforts against this deadly virus,” Belmonte said in a statement.
The Quezon City government has allocated P1 billion of its own funds for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines. It earlier said it was in talks with a “reputable multinational pharmaceutical company” for at least 750,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines.
The city government will prioritize 10,000 health workers, 300,000 senior citizens, 20,000 adult persons with disabilities, and other priority sectors as recommended by the World Health Organization.
AstraZeneca was earlier tapped by a private sector initiative led by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion for the supply of 2.6 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccines worth P626 million. Of the 2.6 million doses, half would be donated for the government’s own vaccination program against the Covid-19.
AstraZeneca earlier announced it was pricing its Covid-19 vaccines with no profits expected. Its emergency use was already approved in the UK. CURRENTPH
