LGUs NOT ALLOWED to procure their own Covid-19 vaccine

Manila, Philippines – The Department of Health on Tuesday, January 12,2020 said Local Government Units are not allowed to procure and roll out Covid-19 vaccines on their own without coordinating with the national government.

In a joint statement by the agency with the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it said they appreciate the Covid-19 vaccine initiatives of these LGUs but coordination with the NTF and DOH in a tripartite agreement involving local governments and pharmaceutical companies is necessary for them to proceed with their plan to immunize their constituents.

This is to align the efforts of LGUs with the vaccine initiative of the National Government which integrates and consolidates all resources and initiatives.

According to FDA , the Emergency Use Authorization issued by the Philippine FDA does not cover the commercial use of the vaccines which means that manufacturers are not allowed to sell directly to the LGUs nor to any entity, unless they are under the vaccine initiative of the National Government.

EUA is an authorization by President Rodrigo Duterte granted to the Director General of the FDA for unregistered drugs and vaccines in a public health emergency.

DOH further said they recognize 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.

The Department of Interior and Local Government DILG also released a statement last Thursday directing LGUs to coordinate with the National Government regarding their procurement to ensure that prices of COVID-19 vaccine are standardized and that there will be no duplication of vaccinated individuals.

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