The Manila city government's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) storage facility is ready to operate on February 14 after its three biomedical freezers intended for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines arrived on Tuesday.
The city's COVID-19 storage facility located at the Sta. Ana Hospital now has a total of 12 refrigerator units.
Manila City Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso immediately called for a meeting with Vice Mayor Ma. Sheilah ‘Honey’ Lacuna-Pangan and other officials from the Manila Health Department (MHD) and Sta. Ana Hospital to discuss the upcoming mass vaccination activities.
Also in attendance were Assistant to the City Health Officer Dr. Ed Santos, Sta. Ana Hospital Pharmacist Jude Beltran, Biomedical Specialist Walter Rigonan, City Engineer Armand Andres, and Haier Biomedical Company Managing Director Pilarcita Sta. Ana with Sales Director Jonathan Sta. Ana.
"Gawin natin ang lahat para maproteksyunan ang bakuna (Let's do everything that we can to protect the vaccine). That is a reflection of every life that we can protect. May buhay na nakasalalay sa bawat bakunang hawak natin (For every vaccine that we're handling there are lives at stake),” Domagoso said on Tuesday.
"The efficacy and the value of the product lies on your hands. Please protect the product," he added.
Sta. Ana Hospital Director Dr. Grace Padilla said that its hospital stands ready to receive the COVID-19 vaccines from different brands, adding that the facility is secured and equipped with 11 CCTV cameras working 24/7 and six data loggers.
"This is to ensure the security of the vaccines tapos sa ating mga refrigerations mayroon tayong tinatawag na data logger, sila yung magmo-monitor ng temperature ng each ref (For our refrigeration we have a data logger to monitor each of the refrigerators)," Dr. Padilla said.
"They will make sure na hindi magflu-fluctuate yung ating mga temperature so it will make vaccines more viable and effective," she added.
The storage facility also has a back-up generator in case of any power interruption.
The local chief executive emphasized the sensitivity of the vaccine amid any change in temperature. He urged Dr. Padilla to direct the hospital personnel to remain cautious and prudent at all times.
"Once the vaccines are there, we will not stop -- Monday to Sunday, hindi tayo hihinto. Hihinto lang tayo kapag tapos na (We will not stop. We're going to stop once we're done). This is saving lives, protecting lives, yun ang goal," Domagoso said.
"Ang habol ko ay walang mamamatay. Hindi na baleng may patuloy na infection, basta wala nang mamamatay. Kawawa ang tao (My aim is to stop the deaths due to COVID. It is not uncommon for the infection to continue, as long as no one will die anymore. The people are pitiful)," he added.
According to Sta. Ana Hospital Biomedical Specialist Walter Rigonan, the city government's 12 COVID-19 vaccine freezers can accommodate the following:
- 2 units of -10 to -25 freezer: 5,200 vials each
- 2 units of -10 to -30 freezer: 17,2000 vials each
- 3 units of -70 freezer: 35,000 vials each
- 5 units of 2-8 degrees freezer: 8,200 vials each
The storage facility on the 7th floor of Sta. Ana Hospital can be used for all the vaccine brands available in the market because it is equipped with different types of refrigeration units.