I FIRST heard about it last Wednesday when I received an email query sent by Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) HR head, SVP Gina Eala. Ms. Eala asked me and the other email recipients if we wanted to get vaccinated against COVID 19 and, if affirmative, for us to fill up a survey form. The following day, she invited us to attend a lunchtime webinar, where we can be updated on the proposed Ayala Vaccine and Immunization Program (AVIP). Despite a very short notice, over a thousand group officers and employees attended.
That’s where I learned that the Ayala Group has already purchased 450,000 doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine through a Tripartite Agreement, for donation to the government, half of which will be administered to persons nominated by Ayala Corporation.
I also learned from AC Health President/CEO Borromeo that on top of that, Ayala will be procuring anywhere from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 doses from a group of accredited suppliers (currently Astra Zeneca and Moderna, and, possibly soon Novovax). The total orders will depend on the survey results as “we do not want to over-order or under-order,” Borromeo added.
This batch of vaccines will be allotted primarily to insure safety in the Ayala workplace, as part of Ayala’s share of heavy lifting during this abnormal time.
Per the guidelines prepared by Ayala HR heads, chaired by JP Orbeta, the following may participate in the AVIP:
* Direct hired employees, consultants and project employees
* Members of the Board of Directors (BOD)
* Retirees
* Employees of contractors, vendors and suppliers deployed to an Ayala Business Unit
* Dependents of employees, members of the BOD and retirees
An FAQ sheet distributed to Ayala Group employees explained:
“Dependents” include any individual residing in the same household as the employee, BOD and/or retiree. This may include spouse, parents, in- laws, children, siblings, household staff, etc., ages 18 and up. “Other dependents” include other relatives and their household staff not residing in the same household as the employee, BOD and /or retiree. This may include spouse, parents, in-laws, children, siblings, household staff, etc., ages 18 and up.
The first batch of vaccines is expected to be available at the earliest in May but since the delivery of the vaccines will not be in one lot, but in batches, the vaccine administration will be based on the government-mandated and AVIP priority guidelines on availability of supply, distribution and timing.
In coordination with the National Task Force Against COVID-19, the proposed participants have been prioritized by the Ayala Group HR, in the following order:
1. Frontline Health care workers- a. Directly involved in COVID Care b. Working in health-care setting
2. Seniors – whether frontline or non-frontline
3. Other front-liners (adults) – banking, construction, engineering, malls, hotels, technicians, transportation, logistics, teachers
4. Other essential workers
5. Other employees
6. Other contractual staff (non-health care workers, non-front liners)
The prospective vaccine participant will not be able to choose the brand of the vaccine but will be jabbed whatever is available when his/her number is called. AC Health, which will administer the AVIP, assures of the high quality and efficacy of the vaccines approved for procurement.
How much is the complete package of the COVID-19 vaccination?The current estimated cost for enrollment in the vaccination program is P3,000-4,000 per person. The estimated amount will cover the costs of administration (unless shouldered by the government), doctor’s consultation, post-monitoring consultations and unlimited consultations for a period to be set by the vaccine administrators. AC Health gives the assurance that it will still endeavor to bring down the price.
Who will pay for the participation in the vaccine program? The Ayala business units will cover the cost participation in the vaccine program of their employees and of their Board of directors. Ayala is also providing access participation in the vaccine program for retirees, dependents and household staff at the same cost as for Ayala employees and will be fulfilled through an AVIP designed health care program, the cost of which will be shouldered by the respective employee. If the employee is not willing to shoulder the cost of the same, the employee may choose to go to an LGU or other sources for the vaccines for their dependents and household staff. JP Orbeta adds that participation in the program “is not mandatory, but highly recommended.”
Who will administer the COVID-19 vaccine? As stated earlier, administration will be managed by AC Health, using their network of Qualimed hospitals and Healthway clinics, as well as partner healthcare providers. Alternatives such as home and onsite locations will also be provided. HealthNow will be AC Health’s online vaccination platform for scheduling, certification and post-consultations.
In 2015, Ayala began to look into healthcare realizing that many basic healthcare needs of Filipinos remain unmet. With the aim of making quality healthcare more affordable and accessible, Ayala set up Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc./AC Health, a wholly owned subsidiary, which aims to build an integrated healthcare ecosystem that improves healthcare for all. Under AC’s umbrella are FamilyDoc Clinic, Qualimed, Generika and MedGrocer.
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