No vaccine wastage in Central Visayas due to Odette

CEBU, Philippines — COVID-19 vaccines in Central Visayas have been spared from the damage caused by Typhoon Odette.

Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson for the Visayas Vaccination Operations Center, gave this assurance amid reports that an undetermined number of vaccine doses were wasted due to the typhoon.

Loreche said COVID vaccines in Central Visayas are safe as cold storage facilities are being prioritized in terms of generator set and crude oil availability.

The National Vaccination Operations Center reported on Thursday that some of the vaccines were discarded for safety reasons.

Health authorities said vaccines are considered wasted if they were submerged in floodwaters, improperly stored for more than four hours or if their labels get peeled off.

Loreche said it is up to local government units (LGUs) to decide when to resume their vaccination drive.

“Although vaccination is still a must, LGUs have the discretion whether they would resume, with the ongoing restoration and rehabilitation in their areas after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette,” she said.

Several vaccination sites in Cebu City were damaged by the typhoon. Some health personnel were also displaced.

Vaccination against COVID-19 resumed in three major and eight pop-up sites in the city on Thursday. – /The Freeman