Concepcion: Private sector’s 1.3M doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to arrive in June

Over a million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine ordered by the private sector are set to arrive next month which will trigger the start of companies’ inoculation drive for their employees, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said Tuesday.

During the Laging Handa briefing, Concepcion said 1.3 million doses of the 17 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine secured through tripartite deals with the private sector, local government units, and various manufacturers will be arriving in June.

“Magsisimula ‘yan sa 1.3 million doses ang mauuna dumating dito sa buwan ng Hunyo (It will start with 1.3 million doses, which are arriving first in the country by June,” the Presidential adviser said.

“That is going to help about close to 100 companies,” he said.

“Itong mga pinakamalaking kumpanya ang nauna rito bumili ng AstraZeneca (Our are largest companies are the one who first ordered AstraZeneca). Conglomerates natin katulad ng (such as) ICTSI, Ayala, SM, Lucio Tan, Megworld, kasama rin ang rin (together with the) Philippine Franchising Association, Philippine Retailers Association,” Concepcion said.

The Presidential adviser said the private sector tapped Zuellig Pharma as logistics provider.

He said each companies that participated in the tripartite deals can decide for themselves on who will be their inoculation implementer.

Concepcion said companies are already putting up their own vaccination sites.

“Katulad ng Ayala nagtayo sila ng mga 20 mega-sites, SM nagtatayo, ‘yung San Miguel din, ‘yung kay Mr. [Enrique] Razon nagtatayo sa Nayong Pilipino,” he said.

“Lahat ‘yan nakahanda na. At ‘yun ang ilulunsad namin dito sa Let’s Go Bakuna,” he added.

(Just like Ayala which put up 20 mega-sites. SM is also putting up its own, same with San Miguel. Mr. Razon is also putting up [sites] at Nayong Pilipino. All those have been prepared and will be launched during the Let's Go Bakuna.)

The Presidential adviser also emphasized the need to convince workers to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity faster in order to help in the economy’s faster recovery from the pandemic.

“The faster we implement, then we can stop this infection from getting all over,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News