Marikina gov’t preparing cold storage facility for COVID-19 vaccines

The city government of Marikina is readying its own cold storage facility for COVID-19 vaccines as the national vaccination rollout is expected to start by February.

According to GMA News’ Bam Alegre’s report on Unang Balita on Tuesday, Marikina City is one of local government units already preparing for the management of the vaccines.

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said the vaccine carriers are already placed in the facility.

“Narito rin 'yung ating vaccine carrier. Ito 'yung maliliit na vaccine carrier. May cold packs tayo para 'yung temperatura ay mapanatili natin. At para ma-monitor, meron tayong mga thermometer,” he said.

“Meron tayong malalaking biothermal packaging system. Ito ay makakapaglaman ng hanggang 900 hanggang 1,000 vial ng vaccine of single dose,” he added.

According to Teodoro, more vaccine carriers that can keep subzero temperature are expected to arrive this week.

“Ito ay expansion area natin. Inaasahan natin ngayong linggo ay matatapos na. Darating na rin 'yung mga in-order pang karagdagan nating vaccine refrigerator,” he said.

“Itong sinasabi ko para sa ganun, makatanggap tayo ng lahat ng uri ng vaccine pati 'yung mga vaccine na nangangailangan ng subzero temperature,” he added.

Aside from Marikina, Taguig and Quezon City are also preparing their respective cold storage facilities.

On Monday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the government will need third party logistics providers for the cold storage of COVID-19 vaccines starting August.

In Marikina, the city government is eyeing to obtain two to three vaccine products from manufacturers in the United Kingdom and United States.

Teodoro said the city government targets to have a diversified set of vaccine options for residents to accommodate the preference of people with medical conditions and co-morbidities.

“Sa Marikina, ang gusto natin diversified vaccine portfolio,” he said.

“Ibig sabihin may pagpipilian ang mga taong magpapabakuna ayon sa efficacy at safety nito para sa kanya, ayon na rin sa mga medical condition at co-morbodities na meron 'yung taong magpapabakuna,” he added.

Out of the 270,000 target vaccine recipients to achieve population immunity, Teodoro said the city government has listed 219,000 people as priority so far.

He added that 120 to 150 medical personnel were trained to be vaccinators, which can administer vaccines to 80 to 100 people daily.

The city government also prepared a care monitoring system to provide assistance and medicine to people in case they experience adverse effects after inoculation, according to Teodoro. — RSJ, GMA News