Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 12) — The government is facing delays in obtaining syringes to administer mRNA vaccines like those developed by Pfizer and Moderna due to the “apparent global shortage,” a Health official said Friday.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire disclosed the supply issue during a Health department forum. The question stemmed from the World Health Organization’s warning of a possible shortage of one to two billion syringes for COVID-19 vaccinations in 2022.
“Early part of this year, we have placed our orders… but hanggang sa ngayon medyo nagkakaroon ng delays ang kanilang (UNICEF) deliveries sa atin and this is because of the apparent global shortage,” Vergeire said.
[Translation: Until now, we still experience delays in deliveries from UNICEF and this is because of the apparent global shortage.]
She said the government ordered 44 million syringes from UNICEF.
Pending the imported supply, vaccinators are using an alternative called tuberculin syringes used for tuberculosis tests, Vergeire said, adding that the government is looking for other suppliers.
