Philippines probes into fire that damaged 148,678 COVID-19 vaccine doses
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine authorities said Tuesday they are looking into a fire incident in Zamboanga del Sur that damaged nearly 150,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
The National Task Force against COVID-19 confirmed 148,678 doses were compromised after fire hit the health office in Pagadian City on the evening of October 31.
In a statement, it said the three-storey building was also serving as the province's cold chain storage facility for jabs intended for 26 municipalities and a component city.
The cause is not yet known, including the cost of damage. But citing initial reports, the task force said those destroyed were: 88,938 Pfizer doses, 36,164 of Sinovac, 14,400 of Moderna, and 9,176 of Astrazeneca.
"[We] are closely monitoring developments in the incident's investigation," NTF added. "All regions are on standby to provide immediate support to the regional and local vaccination operations centers in Zamboanga Peninsula."
The thousands of Moderna doses were supposed to go for adolescents, with the national government now allowing the age group to get the jabs.
Routine immunization vaccines for the province were also destroyed, it continued. "May this unfortunate incident be a reminder to all local government units to ensure the safety and security of these life-saving vaccines."
NTF said responders are retrieving vaccines as well as refrigerators, carriers, and transport boxes that could still be used.
Authorities vowed for an "intensified" monitoring mechanism. It added a show cause order would be served to Zamboanga del Sur officials for their failure to deliver the jabs three days after receiving it.
"Let us keep in mind that vaccines are gold, and one dose equals one life saved," NTF said, as it sought to reassure residents that supply of the jabs would be replenished following the incident.
The Philippines is eight months into its inoculation efforts with now 27.36 million or 35.47% of the targeted 77.13 million fully vaccinated.
In the Zamboanga Peninsula region, vaccination coverage is at 23.70% or 631,999 individuals complete with their COVID-19 shots according to DOH figures.
A new thread on the Philippines' vaccination program in 2021 in the government's revised objective to reach "population protection." Bookmark our COVID-19 and Vaccination Dashboard for the latest figures on the pandemic in the Philippines. — Main image: The STAR/Michael Varcas, file
The city government of Valenzuela City announces that it is temporarily suspending the use of Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as they wait for more vaccine supplies.
ADVISORY: Pansamantalang inihinto ang pagbabakuna ng Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine sa Valenzuela habang naghihintay ng karagdagang supply. (????: Valenzuela LGU) pic.twitter.com/j4yO52jgMN
— PTVph (@PTVph) August 7, 2023
Pasig City government announces the schedule of COVID-19 vaccination in the city from July 15 until July 28.
It advises residents that first, second dose and first and 2nd booster shots are available on a first come, first serve basis in its designated vaccination sites.
Among the available vaccine brands is Sinovac for 6 years old and above. It adds that there are no Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines yet for residents age 12 and above.
Schedule ng Pagbabakuna sa Pasig City |07/25/2023-07/28/2023 | First Come, First Served Basis
— Pasig Info (@PasigInfo) July 24, 2023
Tingnan ang material para sa vaccination sites kung saan makakapagpa - 1st at 2nd dose, at 1st at 2nd booster shot; at kung ano ang mga dapat dalhin sa araw ng pagbabakuna
1/3 pic.twitter.com/yqKG0S41CM
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to lead the rollout of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. — The STAR/Helen Flores
President Marcos will lead the launch of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy of MPC pool) | @helenmflores pic.twitter.com/wbB2An7xgg
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) June 21, 2023
The Department of Health reminds public that they can still avail of the COVID-19 booster and bivalent booster. It reposted an infographic that determines when it is best to get the first two boosters and the bivalent booster.
Senior citizens and frontline health workers may now get their second booster shots, particularly mRNA jabs such as Moderna and Pfizer, the Department of Health announces. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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