![“May proprietary value ang [vaccine] nga gina-introduce nila sa aton. Kon gabakal ka bala sang isa ka butang daw as is, where is ang basis,” says Councilor Romel Duron of Iloilo City.](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DURON_c-696x392.png "“May proprietary value ang [vaccine] nga gina-introduce nila sa aton. Kon gabakal ka bala sang isa ka butang daw as is, where is ang basis,” says Councilor Romel Duron of Iloilo City.")
ILOILO City – The city government inked a confidentiality disclosure agreement (CDA) with British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for the acquisition of its AZD1222 Vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Yesterday in its special session, the Sangunniang Panlungsod (SP) adopted two resolutions relative to the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.
One of these measures ratified the CDA signed by Mayor Jerry Treñas on Jan. 4.
A CDA is a preliminary document that allows clinical data sharing, according to Councilor Romel Duron, the SP’s floor leader.
Since local government units are not allowed to forge a supply deal will vaccine makers, Duron said the city government joined the national government’s vaccine procurement, which required a tripartite agreement.
“Nag upod kita sa national government. It was the national who entered into a multilateral agreement for the advance purchase of the AZD1222 Vaccine,” Duron added.
Some 200,000 doses of the anti-coronavirus shots co-developed with Oxford University’s Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group are being eyed for inoculation to a hundred thousand Ilonggos as the vaccination requires two doses.
But there is no assurance yet that these target doses will be provided.
According to Duron, it is still unclear how many vaccines will be made available by AstraZeneca.
Also, the national government will be the one to allocate the vaccine which is expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2021.
‘HUSH DEAL’
As part of the CDA, Duron said there are certain matters in the agreement that AstraZeneca should only disclose to the mayor or his representative.
CDA’s are common and allows companies to price their products differently, Duron explained.
It also allows companies to protect themselves from liability should there be adverse effects from the vaccine.
“May proprietary value ang [vaccine] nga gina-introduce nila sa aton. Kon gabakal ka bala sang isa ka butang daw as is, where is ang basis,” said Duron.
Revealing vaccine prices could also constitute a CDA breach, possibly resulting in nations not getting the vaccine.
Meanwhile, the second resolution passed by the city’s legislative body authorized Treñas to represent the city government in negotiating and concluding agreements; to sign, execute and deliver such agreements and other pertinent papers, instruments, and documents, and to do all acts and things necessary, proper, and convenient under the premises for and in behalf of Iloilo City with AstraZeneca.
WHY ASTRAZENECA?
Duron said AZD1222 Vaccine greenlighted by British health officials is among the most affordable and its producer has a good reputation.
AstraZeneca pegged its price at only $5, or more or less P500 for two jabs of its COVID-19 vaccine.
Administered by intramuscular injection, the vaccine uses as a vector a modified chimpanzee adenovirus.
The city government’s move to choose Astrazeneca was also in accordance with the decision of the national government.
HERD IMMUNITY
Treñas earlier bared the city government’s plan to vaccinate 100 percent of the metro’s population.
Such coverage, according to the mayor, is necessary to achieve herd immunity, a concept in vaccination wherein enough people in a specific area are protected against infectious disease.
Iloilo City has a population of about 474, 250.
As of Dec. 29, the metro had a total of 4,684 COVID-19 infections – 4,408 of which recovered, leaving 126 active cases being monitored.
Treñas said those who will refuse will not be forced to submit to receive the anti-coronavirus shots.
PREPARATIONS
The national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and other concerned agencies explained that the poorest of the poor will be prioritized in the vaccination program.
In this regard, IATF said local governments units are expected to prepare a priority listing of people to be vaccinated by geographical area and sector.
Other people on the government’s priority list are the elderly, frontliners, and the police and military.
LGUs are expected to prepare an inventory of possible vaccination centers, both public and private hospitals, and vaccination areas.
President Rodrigo Duterte suggested making police precincts and military camps as vaccination centers.
Local governments should also prepare an inventory of cold chain storage and transportation available like ambulance, vans, trucks, and air and naval vehicles.
They are likewise tasked to prepare quick response or QR codes for people to be vaccinated.
This will be in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority for the national identification card.
Local governments should prepare the required people and vaccinators to be mobilized and the cost for their training, orientation, and simulation.
They are also encouraged to enter into a tripartite agreement with the national government and a vaccine company.
Lastly, LGUs are expected to prepare additional costs required in the preparation and implementation of the vaccination program.
The Philippine National Vaccine Roadmap has seven stages. These were the following:
* scientific evaluation and selection (most critical)
* access and acquisition (guarantee of access)
* procurement process and financing
* production, shipment, and storage
* distribution and deployment
* implementation and nationwide vaccination
* assessment, evaluation, and monitoring./PN
