4,120 COVID-19 vaccine doses wasted due to power interruptions

More than 4,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were wasted due to power interruptions during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday.

At a media briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said a total of 4,120 doses from Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas were wasted.

“From our reports, we have a total of 4,120 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Mimaropa, from Region 6, and from Region 7 that were wasted because of these different power outages and as an effect of Typhoon Odette,” Vergeire said.

“There were also some vaccines that were returned or have been transferred so that we can be able to assess these vaccines if they are still potent, no, kung puwede pa po gamitin.”

The DOH previously reported that around 100 vials of the Pfizer vaccine were wasted due to power interruptions in Iloilo.

For its part, the National Vaccination Operations Center said it had instructed local government units

Pediatric vaccinations

Meanwhile, the DOH reminded local government units that they cannot yet administer COVID-19 vaccines to minors aged 5 to 11.

“The DOH would also like to clarify that the covid-19 vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 years old has not started yet and that preparations for the rollout for this specific age group are still underway,” Vergerie said.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for the age group.

While waiting for guidelines on the COVID-19 vaccinations for the 5 to 11 age group, the Health Department stressed that children should complete their routine immunizations.

“‘Yung mga bakuna po laban sa tigas, laban sa hepatitis, laban sa iba’t iba pang sakit ng mga bata. Ito muna ang pagtuunan natin habang prineprepare po natin ‘yung ating mga guidelines para sa bakunahan ng 5 to 11,” she said. — DVM, GMA News