Baguio City bags AstraZeneca vaccine deal for 190,000 individuals

Baguio City has secured a deal with AstraZeneca for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines sufficient for 190,000 individuals, aiming for herd immunity.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed the agreement on Sunday with AstraZeneca representatives, the Department of Health, and the National Task Force on Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases.

The 190,000 individuals represent 70% of the city's inoculation target, excluding those aged 17 and below.

Initially, AstraZeneca planned to supply vaccines for only 50,000 people, but Mayor Magalong successfully negotiated for an increased supply.

The city's COVID-19 vaccination program has a budget of P100 million, with the allocation to be determined by the Mayor and the City Council.

Baguio City is also in talks with other pharmaceutical companies and seeking donations from private firms and individuals to acquire more vaccines for free.

Private companies and locators in the Philippine Economic Zone Authority in Baguio have already pledged a total of 33,000 doses.