MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has signed a deal to secure COVID-19 vaccines developed by British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte signed a tripartite agreement with AstraZeneca and the National Task Force against COVID-19, the Quezon CIty government announced Tuesday night in a Facebook post.
Earlier, the Quezon City local government said it was finalizing talks for the acquisition of 750,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the British drugmaker.
“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, as quoted in a statement.
Also on Tuesday, the Quezon City Council approved the resolution authorizing Belmonte to sign a tripartite agreement for the advance purchase of the vaccine.
Among those who are prioritized to receive the vaccine in Quezon City are 10,000 health workers, 300,000 senior citizens and 20,000 adults with disabilities.
Some P1 billion was allocated for the vaccine purchase in the city’s 2021 budget.