DOH, gov't agencies simulate COVID-19 vaccine arrival and distribution

The Department of Health (DOH) and government agencies conducted a simulation exercise for the arrival and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, including processes from arrival at the airport to storage.

In Davao City, the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) on Covid-19 also held a simulation for vaccine handling, covering transport, acceptance, and storage at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

Health officials emphasized the importance of timely and safe delivery, noting that shorter handling times for vaccines are better.

The simulations are preparations for the arrival of vaccines requiring ultra-low temperature storage between -70 to -80 degrees Celsius.

Davao City is equipped with an additional ultra-low freezer at the Los Amigos Molecular Laboratory that can accommodate 35,000 vials, which can be used to augment SPMC's storage capacity.

The exercises aim to identify strengths and gaps in the supply chain system and ensure real-time temperature monitoring from manufacturer to vaccination sites.