The Department of Health (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. This must be coordinated with the national government, 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.
The FDA also clarifies that the 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.
Further, the DOH recognizes 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.
