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DOH checking reports on wasted Sinovac vaccine vials in Cotabato


The Department of Health is investigating reports that 348 vials of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in Cotabato were damaged as the freezer containing them was left without power, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Saturday.

“Atin pong iniimbestigahan ngayon ‘yan (We are investigating the incident). We already coordinated with the regional office to conduct the initial investigation and make a report,” she said during the Laging Handa briefing.

“Tinitingnan natin kung meron kailangan may managot at kung ano ang dapat gawin after nito" (We are still determining if someone should be held liable for the incident, and what to do next), she added.

"So let’s wait for the final investigation report before we can make a comment."

Earlier, a national daily report indicated that the DOH regional office issued an advisory to the provincial government of Cotabato, informing officials that vaccine doses allotted to Makilala town are already damaged.

A total of 348 Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine vials were reportedly kept in a freezer without electricity for more than two days.

Brownout hit the town at around 12:30 in the afternoon of May 7, Friday. The vials were then placed inside the freezer at the Makilala Municipal Police Office as the station has a generator set.

By Monday, May 10,  authorities found out that the generator set was off and the freezer was not plugged into a power source.

Authorities said the spoiled vaccine doses were allocated for the senior citizens of Makilala.

Municipal health officer Dr. Gina Sorilla was reportedly summoned by the town council to explain the incident.

However, Vergeire said the vaccine wastage is still within the 5% threshold that the DOH has set.

According to Vergeire, the DOH has already advised the local government units to secure a genset especially in areas where power outage is frequent. —LBG, GMA News

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