Cebu City to get AstraZenica, Covovax vaccines

CEBU, Philippines —  The tripartite agreement among the Cebu City government, the national government, and vaccine manufacturers is now one inch closer to being materialized after the City Council has approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Edgardo Labella to send a letter of intent on the city’s choice of vaccine brands – AstraZenica and Covovax/Novavax.

The resolution was sponsored by Councilors Raymond Garcia and Nestor Archival.

“Where we are right now in the City Council and Mayor Labella is getting closer to a tripartite agreement. That is why yesterday’s session was monumental as we already agreed on a resolution that was authored by Garcia (and) Archival, bringing the letter of intent to Mayor Labella to the pharmaceuticals,” said Vice Mayor Michael Rama, the city’s lead convenor for vaccine rollout.

The two vaccine brands which the City Council, the convenor body, and the multi-sectoral group have agreed to enter into an agreement with soon are AstraZenica and Covovax/Novavax.

AstraZenica already has an Emergency Use Authorization while Covovax’s application is still under review.

Sinovac, while also given nod by the Cebu City government, is no longer an option since it is already under the national government’s vaccination program.

“With regard to the Sinovac vaccine, since the national government has already purchased the same, the Cebu City government will wait for the guidelines as to how it should be implemented and distributed to the constituents, mindful (of) the latter’s right to choose which vaccine to receive,” part of the resolution states.

Rama reiterated that the council is also open to other vaccine brands, such as Pfizer and Moderna, as long as they have secured an EUA, do not need ultra-cold storage, and the price is reasonable.

“We are not limiting it to other vaccines if they get the FDA’s EUA. But we have to consider the costs and storage. It’s going to be a nightmare if it needs ultra-storage,” the vice mayor said.

The City Council is expected to finalize the number of vaccines to be purchased before entering into a purchase agreement.

The city government initially set aside P400 million for the purchase of vaccines against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the council also had initial discussions on the city’s vaccine priorities as well as vaccination sites, vaccinators, and other personnel needed in its vaccination program.

The proposed vaccination drive-thru had also been scrapped after Dr. Ilya Abellanosa of the Cebu City Health Department said individuals that have been vaccinated need to be monitored yet for some time before being allowed to go home.

Councilor Alvin Dizon also opened up on the possibility of having a “house-to-house” vaccination for seniors and PWDs which Abellanosa said is already being considered in their initial plan. — with Decemay P. Padilla, JMD (FREEMAN)