Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 18)— The Department of Health said it is trying to gather more reports on possible COVID-19 vaccine wastage in areas hit by Typhoon Odette.
“In terms of the wastage, we are trying to get more reports,” Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said in a Saturday briefing.
Cabotaje said officials are awaiting further information from various regions including Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and the Bangsamoro region.
The agency is also verifying a vehicular accident report in Calabarzon which could have also resulted in wastage of doses, she added.
“We are coordinating with the OCD [Office of Civil Defense], even our military, para makita natin kung ano iyong kalagayan ng ating mga vaccines (so that we can check the condition of our vaccines),” she said.
Cabojate likewise floated the possibility that some coronavirus shots may have been affected by the power outages in some areas.
“We may have some vaccines that have been compromised because of power outages,” she pointed out. “While we have been prepared, baka sa katagalan tapos iyong problema ng fuel, etcetera (it could have lasted long, there may have been problems in fuel).”
Typhoon Odette left a trail of destruction in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao — toppling power lines, damaging homes and roads, and leaving at least four people dead in its wake.
The storm left the Philippine monitoring area on Saturday afternoon.
Cabotaje also noted that vaccine deliveries were hampered by the typhoon due to flight cancellations.
