LGUs can’t procure and roll out COVID-19 vaccines on their own, according to DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) said that local government units (LGUs) can’t procure and roll out COVID-19 vaccines on their own without coordinating with the national government.
Although the Health department appreciated the local government units’ effort in securing COVID-19 vaccines.
In a joint statement, the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that local government units can’t procure and roll out COVID-19 vaccines on their own.
According to the Department of Health, the vaccination program of LGUs must be coordinated with the national government through the NTF Against COVID-19 and the Health department in a tripartite agreement involving pharmaceutical companies and local governments.
“This is meant to align the efforts of LGUs with the vaccine initiative of the national government which integrates and consolidates all resources and initiatives,” DOH said.
READ ALSO: Bulk Of COVID-19 Vaccines For PH Will Come From Novavax, Says Galvez
The Food and Drug Administration clarified that the emergency use authorization (EUA) issued by the Philippine FDA didn’t cover the commercial use of COVID-19 vaccines.
In addition, the FDA explained that manufacturers can’t sell directly to the local government units nor to any entity unless they’re under the national government’s vaccine initiative.
The Health department also said that it recognized the equity issues raised on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and assured the public that the national government adhered to the principle of equity wherein the delivery of services was “biased towards the vulnerable and the disadvantaged”.
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