Navotas City inks deal for COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca

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 — Navotas City has signed a deal for the procurement of 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.

Mayor Toby Tiangco announced on social media on Monday that 50,000 residents of the city will be the first to be inoculated with the vaccines that are expected to arrive by the second half of 2021. 

“Pinirmahan po natin kahapon ang kasunduan para makabili po tayo ng 100,000 doses ng bakuna laban sa COVID-19 sa AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company. Dahil dalawang dose po ang kailangan ng bawat tao, 50,000 Navoteño po ang unang mabibigyan natin ng bakuna na inaasahan nating dadating sa second half ng 2021,” Tiangco said. 

(Yesterday, we signed an agreement for the procurement of 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca. Because two doses are needed for every individual, 50,000 Navoteños will be the first to receive the vaccines that are expected to arrive by the second half of 2021.)

Navotas City Mayor Tobias Tiangco (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO)

“Manatili po tayong maingat at sundin natin ang mga safety protocols habang hinihintay natin ang bakunang ito,” he added. 

(Let us continue to be careful and follow health and safety protocols while waiting for these vaccines.)

Tiangco earlier said that the city government has allotted P20 million to acquire COVID-19 vaccines, but added that the budget may be increased. 

As of Sunday, Navotas City has logged a total of 5,492 COVID-19 cases, consisting of 50 active cases, 5,271 recoveries, and 171 deaths.  

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