Australia, Unicef partner to strengthen Philippines vax supply chain

MANILA, Philippines — In support of the Philippines’ COVID-19 vaccine scale-up, the Australian government has formally handed over cold chain equipment to help address gaps in the storage capacity at all levels of the Philippine health care system.

The Australian government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines, on Friday turned over the donation to bolster cold chain capacity on the national and local government levels amid the scale-up of COVID-19 vaccinations.

With the A$1.3-million – around P48.7 million – funding from the Australian government, UNICEF Philippines procured 30 solar-powered vaccine refrigerators, eight walk-in cold rooms, 20 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the walk-in cold rooms and 106 sets of spare parts.

The solar fridges will be distributed and installed in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities in Region 11 (Davao) and the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The walk-in cold rooms, which can store large quantities of vaccines, will be installed in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 5 (Bicol), Region 11, Region 12 (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos, or Soccsksargen) and Region 13 (Caraga).

With 122 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered and plans to further expand coverage in the country, there is a critical need to increase the logistics and cold chain capacity to improve storage for COVID-19 vaccines and routine vaccines in the National Immunization Program.

“The country’s cold-chain systems enable the government, its various hospitals, and health facilities in different regions to obtain the maximum reach and provide the Filipino people with vaccines that are assured to be of good standard and quality. These donated cold chain equipment will be of great aid in ramping up our inoculation activities against COVID-19,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

“This package of cold chain equipment is part of the Australian government’s larger commitment to support the Philippine government’s COVID-19 response,” Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson said.

“It will help ensure that those most at risk and other vulnerable members of the population have equal access to vaccines. Aside from bolstering the cold chain capacity of the country at the national and local levels, Australia is also supporting the improvement of information management systems as well as increasing the demand for COVID-19 vaccines,” Robinson added.

Through UNICEF Philippines and the World Health Organization, the overall funding at the value of A$7.5 million from the Australian government will support the Department of Health in targeting around 10 million COVID-19 vaccine beneficiaries, 38 health facilities, and 100 health facility staff for training on Cold Chain Logistics and Vaccine Management. These aim to fill critical cold chain equipment gaps, improve surveillance for vaccines, and risk communication and community engagement.

UNICEF Philippines country representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said the strengthening of the national health system and COVID-19 vaccination is a big step toward the strengthening of critical health services and routine immunization for every woman and child in the Philippines.

“As we work with the Philippine government and all our partners in ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, we at UNICEF ensure that all children, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized, will be provided with the health and nutrition services they need to survive, thrive and reach their full potential,” Dendevnorov added.