MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Parañaque on Wednesday said it has signed a deal with UK pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca for the purchase of 200,000 vaccine doses to be given to its residents for free.
“The purchase price is for $5 per dose, or a total of $1 million for the city government,” Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez said in a statement, noting that he sealed the deal with the British drugmaker last Sunday, January 10.
In the same statement, city health officer Olga Virtusio said Phase 1 of their local vaccine program includes inoculation 119,200 residents, composed of frontline workers, uniformed personnel, indigents, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The city, which has more than 600,000 residents, already prepared P1.25 billion for its vaccination program.
As of Jan. 12, the city reported a total of 8,342 cases of the severe respiratory disease, including 152 active cases, 7,975 recoveries and 215 deaths.