The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Wednesday most of the local government units (LGUs) preferred the AstraZeneca vaccine after the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 bared the list of available vaccines in the market.
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya explained that the NTF laid out the vaccines currently available in the market, which passed through the scrutiny of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
In an interview over ABS-CBN Teleradyo, Malaya said that the LGUs were also briefed on the possible scheduled delivery dates of the vaccine.
“So nakakapili po sila (LGUS) kung ano po ‘yung preference (for COVID-19 vaccine) nila. As a matter of fact, ang karamihan sa kanila pinili na ngayon ‘yung AstraZeneca,” Malaya said.
Malaya insisted that the LGUs are involved in the choice of the COVID-19 vaccine that will be used in their respective jurisdictions under the tripartite agreement involving the national government, pharmaceutical firms and the localities.
Malaya pointed out that initially, the LGUs were allowed to independently negotiate for the purchase of their vaccines with the condition of having them coordinate with the NTF since the pharmaceutical firms are barred from selling the vaccine directly to the localities.
“It is only through the national government kasi nga po ito ay EUA (Emergency Use Authorization),” he added.
