‘No vaccine wastage in Davao’

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — There has been no unnecessary disposal of COVID vaccines in this city, the local pandemic task force said.

“We practice a first in, first out policy. If the vaccines are nearing expiration, we hasten the rollout as we don’t want our vaccines to expire,” Davao COVID task force vaccine cluster head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said.

However, she admitted that some vaccines were wasted in far-flung areas where there were only few vaccinees.

Villafuerte noted that the vaccine could be administered only within six hours once a vial has been opened.

“If there are wasted vaccines, there’s a reason. It’s not because of negligence,” she said.