Info Magzine: DOH: 5-percent wastage of total Covid-19 vaccines still acceptable

DOH Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A five-percent wastage of Covid-19 vaccines—both as a result of issues on storage and distribution, or recipients out of the blue backing out or having medical issues—is acceptable, the Department of Health (DOH) stated Wednesday.

According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the DOH considers a doable five-percent wastage when procuring vaccines.

“Meron po tayong tinatala na ang acceptable po ay mga 5 percent. Ini-estimate na po namin ‘yan kapag kumukuha tayo ng numero o estimated number na kailangan natin na bakuna,” she stated in the course of the Laging Handa public briefing when requested concerning the estimated proportion of wastage for Covid-19 vaccine photographs.

(We estimate {that a} five-percent wastage of vaccines is acceptable. We contemplate that estimate once we point out the quantity of vaccines we want for mass inoculation.)

“Pero kailangan (But), we have to keep it as minimum as possible because every dose will count because these Covid vaccines are needed badly by all of us Filipinos,” she added.

Vergeire defined that vaccine wastage might occur if an individual listed as a beneficiary of vaccination out of the blue backs out, or when these eligible to obtain the inoculation photographs couldn’t have it as a result of medical circumstances which will come up on the day of vaccination.

The vaccines might find yourself being wasted if nobody would change such beneficiaries, in response to Vergeire.

On the opposite hand, she stated vaccines can also be wasted as a result of improper storage or injection.

To keep away from this state of affairs, Vergeire stated services and gear for the vaccination needs to be sufficiently readied for the inoculation program.

“We can be able to store the vaccines properly and prepare it properly. Kailangan ready ‘yung distribution kits natin para hindi masisira ang bakuna sakaling sa distribution phase masira,” she stated.

(We can be capable of retailer the vaccines correctly and put together it correctly. The distribution kits must also be made prepared in order that the vaccines is not going to be broken within the distribution part.)

“Kailangan din po may ready tayo ng alternative recipients kung sakaling during that day of vaccination meron po tayong marereject because of medical conditions or merong hindi dumating sa appointment na ‘yun, [para] meron po tayong handang ipalit agad para hindi masayang ang bakuna,” added Vergeire.

(We must also put together various recipients to interchange some beneficiaries who out of the blue couldn’t obtain the vaccines as a result of of medical circumstances, or don’t present up on the day of vaccination, in order that there gained’t be any wasted vaccine.)

JPV

For extra information concerning the novel coronavirus click on here.

What you need to know about Coronavirus.

For extra information on COVID-19, name the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 native 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation helps our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting money donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) present account #007960018860 or donate via PayMaya utilizing this link .