FILE PHOTO: Vials with a sticker reading, “COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / Injection only” and a medical syringe are seen in front of a displayed AstraZeneca logo in this illustration taken October 31, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — Valenzuela City has signed a deal for the advance purchase of 640,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine developed by British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.
The Valenzuela City government made the announcement over social media on Sunday evening.
Good news! Valenzuela City signs a deal with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines for the advance purchase of 640,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses. pic.twitter.com/ea1DSpkT5e
— Valenzuela City (@valenzuelacity) January 10, 2021
The city government said it is already preparing for the roll-out of its vaccination program.
“With the AstraZeneca vaccines, 320,000 individuals will be vaccinated, which is 70% of the target population of the city (18 years old below are excluded),” the city government said.
The vaccines are expected to arrive in the 2nd half of 2021.
The Quezon City government recently signed a supply deal with AstraZeneca.
Other local governments, particularly in Metro Manila, have also set aside funds for the purchase of coronavirus vaccines for their respective constituents to augment the national government’s vaccination drive.
The national government has so far secured 2.6million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine and 30 million doses of the India-made Covovax vaccine.