Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said today, February 3, that members of the League of Governors of the Philippines were advised that instead on buying COVID-19 vaccines, they should focus on other consumables needed for the mass vaccination drive.
Lacson said in their Zoom meeting with Secretary Carlito Galvez Tuesday he assured them that the national government will take care of the vaccines needed for 70 percent of the country’s population.
The remaining 30 percent belong to the 18 years old and below age group that will not be covered by the COVID-19 vaccination, he said.
The governors were told to focus on buying consumables such as needles, syringes, cotton buds, alcohol and on hiring more vaccinators, he said.
Lacson said because of Galvez assurance the provincial government will not buy additional vaccines on top of the 100,000 doses from AstraZenaca that it has ordered.
The 100,000 doses for the Negros Occidental frontliners will be more than enough, he said.
Lacson said he postponed his Zoom meeting with the Negros Occidental mayors scheduled today to discuss the vaccine purchases to next week.
The meeting next week will be held to also tackle preparations for the mass roll out of the vaccines, he said.*