DOH urged to coordinate with local gov’t officials

Reps. Dakila Carlo Cua, Karlo Nograles and Johnny Pimentel in a Monday briefing. Photo: Vince F. Nonato

There should be close coordination between officials of local governments and the Department of Heath (DOH) amid the shortage of syringes for COVID-19 vaccination, according to Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (Ulap) president and Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua.

Cua said the DOH should inform local governments in advance if the doses that would be delivered to them would not have syringes.

Cua made the statement as he noted a recent incident in the Bicol Region where the vaccine deliveries did not have enough syringes with them, and local officials were not informed about it beforehand.

“If they would have difficulty [providing syringes], we could procure these if they would inform us in advance,” he said at the Laging Handa briefing.

Otherwise, the doses might not be administered, he said.But he said the problem with syringes was not felt in all regions.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has called on local governments to look for creative ways to address the looming shortage of syringes for COVID-19 vaccines.

Cua said local governments could keep a stock of syringes on standby to ensure the continuity of their vaccination programs. The Ulap chief said vaccine hesitancy and brand preference were still a problem.

He said that when areas hit the 40-percent to 50-percent mark of their vaccination targets, demand wanes because the remaining eligible population are not interested in getting jabs.