Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said today, January 7, that the request of private groups and businesses to purchase COVID-19 vaccines can be included in the provincial government’s next advance purchase agreement with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc.
He said the initial agreement they are entering into will be for the purchase of vaccines for COVID-19 frontliners in the province since they had to meet a deadline.
“Let’s see how it goes, because after this I was told that there can be another negotiation. We actually need the help of the private sector,” he said, in vaccinating Negrenses against COVID-19.
They will be very grateful if private groups and businesses help, Lacson said.
“Maybe they can start already by saying how much they are willing to buy and how much they are willing to donate to the province,” he added.
Lacson said the provincial government’s signing of a multilateral agreement for the advance purchase of COVID-19 vaccines for Negros Occidental with Astra Zeneca has been moved from tomorrow, January 8, to Saturday, January 9.
He was informed by AstraZeneca that the signing would be moved to Saturday since they just got the contract from the Department of Health tonight.
The agreement he is signing with AstraZeneca, the national government, and DOH is for the purchase of 100,000 doses of AZD1222 vaccines for 50,000 persons, Lacson said.*