FILE PHOTO: Syringes containing Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
MANILA, Philippines — At least 21,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines stored in areas hit by Typhoon Odette have been formally tagged as “wastage,” according to a government official on Friday.
Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said during the Laging Handa briefing the affected vaccine doses was reported in Iloilo, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and the Caraga region.
She added that the DOH is awaiting reports from other areas, which are still experiencing problems with electricity and connectivity.
“We have initially about 21,000 doses that have been officially reported as wastage,” she announced.
“We are completing the report and hopefully…in the next week or two weeks, we will have the final report of ilan talaga ang na-damage [of how many were really damaged],” she also said.
Meanwhile, some areas affected by the super typhoon have resumed their vaccination drive.
In Mimaropa, Cabotaje said all 23 local governments have reopened their respective vaccination campaigns.
In Central Visayas, around 70 to 75 percent have resumed vaccinating their residents against COVID-19.
“Sa Southern Leyte saka sa Iloilo…full blast na sila [In Southern Leyte and Iloilo, they’re on full blast already],” she added.
But vaccinations in Caraga, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte have yet to resume completely, according to Cabotaje.
“Pero ‘yung mga pwede nang magbakuna nagstart nang magbakuna [But those areas which can resume vaccinations already, can resume already],” she noted.
Cabotaje said the DOH is looking for measures to ensure that vaccine doses are stored properly and easily accessible in areas affected by Odette.
READ: Odette: Impact on PH described as ‘catastrophic’
“Either ‘yung tinawag nating on-time delivery, just in time. Ibig sabihin, magi-schedule ng bakuna tapos idadalin ‘yung bakuna, ibabakuna kaagad,” she said.
(Either we will have what we call an on-time delivery, just in time. This means the vaccination will be scheduled then the vaccine doses will be delivered right before they are administered.)
“Or maghahanap tayo ng mga malalapit na storage facilities para mas madali silang makakuha ng bakuna during their vaccination day,” she added.
(Or we will find nearby storage facilities so that the vaccines are easily accessible during their vaccination day.)