Tripartite Agreement Needed For LGUs’ COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement; Survey Shows Few NCR Residents Willing To Get Vaccinated

UPDATED: With more local government units baring plans to purchase vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new survey conducted by the OCTA Research group showed that only one in every four Metro Manila residents – or 25 percent of the 600 respondents – are willing to get vaccinated as protection against the potentially deadly respiratory illness.

Results of OCTA’s “Tugon ng Masa” poll, which was conducted from Dec. 9 to 13, were released on Tuesday, Jan. 5.

Of the respondents, 28 percent said they were unwilling to be vaccinated against COVID-19, while 47 percent were undecided.

Those who were unwilling to have themselves inoculated were highest among those in Class E at 31 percent, followed by those in Class D at 28 percent and Class ABC at 19 percent.

Meanwhile, those willing to get immunized are highest among Class ABC at 29 percent, followed by those in Class E at 27 percent and Class D at 24 percent.

The same survey also showed that 81 percent of Metro Manila respondents approve of the national government’s response to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Only six percent said they were dissatisfied, while 12 percent were unsure of their assessment of the national government’s response.

The Tugon ng Masa survey, which OCTA described as an independent and non-commissioned scientific poll, had an error margin of plus or minus four percent.

OCTA Research is an independent and interdisciplinary group of experts composed mainly of faculty members of the University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas.

QC gets AstraZeneca vaccines

Meanwhile, the Quezon City local government said it is finalizing its talks with British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca plc for the  purchase of an initial 750,000 doses of vaccine for COVID-19.

Mayor Joy Belmonte noted earlier on Tuesday their plan to procure vaccines will not be in conflict with the earlier statement of the Department of Health, which stated that only the national government can purchase vaccines from drugmakers.

She said city will enter into a tripartite agreement setup wherein the national government will procure the vaccines in behalf of the Quezon City government, which will provide the funds.

“The local government unit (LGU) is not authorized to procure, only the national government is allowed because these are the terms of an emergency use agreement,” she told The Philippine STAR, affirming an earlier statement made by Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire.

“So the (pharmaceutical firm) allocates what it can to LGUs that signify intent, the LGU provides the funds, the national government procures in behalf of the LGU and this supply goes to the LGU,” she added.

The Quezon City Council approved a resolution authorizing Belmonte to enter into a tripartite agreement with the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 and AstraZeneca for the advance purchase of an initial batch of 750,000 doses of vaccine.

“We are ready to purchase. After implementing our test, isolate, and treat strategy, vaccination is our game plan now. This free vaccination program will definitely complete our efforts against this deadly virus,” Belmonte said.

 “With the council resolution, we will soon finalize the tripartite partnership and begin the process of prioritizing our most vulnerable citizens,” she added.

 Belmonte said the locally-funded allocation will be over and above the vaccines earmarked for the LGU by the national government.

On Tuesday night, the Quezon City government announced that Belmonte already signed the tripartite agreement with the national government - through the Department of Health and NTF Against COVID-19 –  and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines for the purchase of the vaccine shots.

 According to Quezon City, the priority for the vaccines will be its 10,000 health workers, 300,000 senior citizens and 20,000 adult persons with disabilities. It will also prioritize other sectors as recommended by the World Health Organization.

 The city earlier said that it has allocated an initial P1 billion in its 2021 budget to purchase  vaccines and supplies needed for the inoculation. A portion of this budget will be used for the initial purchase of AstraZeneca’s allocated vaccine for Quezon City.

 Belmonte said the budget may go higher depending on cost of the vaccines, supplies and other factors.

 “As soon as we have rolled out this vaccination program, we will definitely prepare for the next distribution and budget,” she said.

 Joseph Juico, head of the QC Task Force on COVID-19, noted “the deal will be completed anytime soon with one of the leading pharmaceutical companies. With a sealed partnership, we can immediately secure thousands of vaccines for our people.”

 Juico said the vaccines will undergo the proper process and documentation, including securing the approval of the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization.

 Last month, Belmonte formed an interagency taskforce to oversee the acquisition and distribution of the vaccine in the city.

 The task force is mandated to select and acquire – in coordination with the national government – the vaccine or vaccines authorized for use in the Philippines based on effectiveness and practical considerations such as storage, handling, equipment and training requirements.

 The task force is also tasked to profile and identify members of sectors who will be prioritized for inoculation, including health workers, indigent and vulnerable sectors, frontliners, essential workers, soldiers, policemen, uniformed personnel and essential workers in several businesses.

 The city said it is now reviewing and finalizing the database of those in the priority list.

 Other LGUs have also bared plans to purchase vaccines for their residents, including Manila, Pasig, Makati, San Juan, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Cavite, Cainta, Cebu City, Puerto Princesa, Parañque, Iloilo, Mandaluyong and Zamboanga City.

 But the national government said orders for vaccines could not be done independently from what NTF Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. would negotiate with pharmaceutical firms.

 “We can pool the funds and the national government can procure and have an effective distribution system. We are requesting our LGUs so we can have a unified effort so we can avoid technicalities,” Vergeire said on Monday, Jan. 4.

 Tripartite agreement

 Vince Dizon, deputy chief implementer of the national policy on COVID-19 and testing czar, also said LGUs may buy COVID-19 vaccines through a tripartite agreement with the national government and vaccine suppliers.

 "The LGUs  can avail of vaccines but this has to be done through a tripartite system or agreement between the vaccine manufacturer, the LGU and national government because the policy of vaccine manufacturers around the world is to deal with national governments," Dizon said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

 "First, the vaccine supply is very very limited. Second, if it's the government, the price is lower. That's why we have a system (to purchase vaccines) through the vaccine cluster," he added.

 Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said local governments can use calamity funds to buy vaccines. “With regard to the use of calamity funds, theoretically, it's possible. But I think those who announced that they are buying vaccines said they have a specific item in the budget (for the purchase).” – With Alexis Romero