Stored COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu in good condition during 5-hour blackout — DOH

FILE PHOTO: Vials labeled “Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine” are seen in this illustration picture taken May 2, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic//File Photo

CEBU CITY— Local officials have assured that the COVID-19 vaccines remained in good condition following the five-hour blackout that hit parts of the Visayas on Saturday.

According to Dr. Jaime Bernadas, Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH-7) regional director, “cold room” facilities in the Province of Cebu had backup power generators in case of brownouts.

“It (backup generators) is a requirement (for vaccine storage),” he added.

On their arrival in Cebu, the vaccines were immediately distributed to the local government units and then administered as soon as possible.

The remaining stock was kept at the DOH-7 storage facility which has its own power generators.

Bernadas also did not expect problems in the hospitals since these also have backup generators –a requirement in the issuance of their licenses.

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, Emergency Operations Center Deputy Chief Implementer, said there were slight inconveniences in the Cebu City Medical Center during the blackout which started at 11:56 p.m. on Friday.

“But we’re able to restore the power within minutes,” he added.

While the electric fans in isolation facilities stopped working during the blackout, Garganera said these have huge windows and high ceilings, allowing very good ventilation.

Parts of Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar were hit by the blackout which lasted for at least five hours.

According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the unscheduled power interruption was caused by lightning that struck the transmission and distribution lines in Cebu.

/MUF