BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental may have to wait until February to get vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
A former legislator, Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, said he was coordinating with Carlito Galvez, COVID-19 response chief enforcer and vaccine czar, for the vaccines in addition to those that would be provided by the national government.
Benitez said the purchase would be open to individuals and private companies.
Among the vaccines expected to become available are the Sputnik V by Gamaleya Research Institute of Russia, and China-based vaccine manufacturer Sinovac.
Benitez said both have applied for an emergency approval with the Food and Drug Administration.
The former congressman told Negrenses who may have reservations over the safety and effectiveness of the Sinovac vaccine that it is safe.
Vaccines from British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca will likely become available by March of April of this year.
Benitez said firms that wish to place orders may get in touch with the Negros Occidental Provincial Economic Development and Investment Center.
Earlier on Monday, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson signed a “non-disclosure agreement” with a foreign pharmaceutical company to potentially buy the vaccine it developed against COVID-19.
According to Lacson, he approved the preliminary deal with a private vaccine developer to ensure that Negros Occidental will get a supply of the vaccine early this year.
As part of the contract, Lacson explained he cannot divulge any details on the possible procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.
But he disclosed that the provincial government allocated P30 million to buy anti-coronavirus shots initially intended for medical frontliners.
“The source of funds is the Provincial Disaster Fund,” said Lacson./PN
