MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reiterated that local government units (LGUs) cannot procure and roll out Covid-19 vaccines without coordination with the national government.
"The DOH, the National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appreciate the Covid-19 vaccine initiatives of the Local Government Units (LGUs). However, as mentioned by the Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, LGUs cannot procure and roll out Covid-19 vaccines on their own," the DOH said in a statement.
It added that coordination with the national government can be done through the NTF 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 which integrates and consolidates all resources and initiatives," it said.
The FDA also clarified that the emergency use authorization (EUA) issued by the Philippine FDA does not cover the commercial use of the vaccines.
"This means that manufacturers cannot sell directly to the LGUs nor to any entity, unless they are under the vaccine initiative of the national government," the DOH said.
The agency also recognized 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 is biased towards the vulnerable and the disadvantaged," it added. (PNA)
