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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BOC, DOH prepare for first Pfizer vaccine importation to Visayas, Mindanao

BOC, DOH prepare for first Pfizer vaccine importation to Visayas, Mindanao

Published Jun 9, 2021 03:29 pm

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said is it now coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) for the first importation of the United States (US)-made Pfizer vaccines to Visayas and Mindanao.

Vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (Luis Acosta / File photo / AFP )

The two agencies held a series of virtual meetings on June 4, 7, and 8, to discuss the final preparations for the anticipated arrival of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine imports through the Port of Davao and Port of Cebu.

Contingency plans for natural calamities and emergencies, including logistics and security issues, and possible scenarios that may be encountered during the arrival of the Pfizer vaccines in Cebu and Davao were discussed in the meetings.

The DOH highly encouraged the ports to adopt the customs procedure observed and implemented by the Port of NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) in processing the arrival of COVID-19 jabs to ensure their seamless and prompt release and distribution in the Visayas and Mindanao islands.

The series of virtual coordination meetings were attended by representatives from the DOH, BOC, Bureau of International Health Cooperation, Philippine National Police (PNP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), DHL, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), Zuellig Pharma, Orca Cold Chain Solutions, Southern Philippines Medical Center, and other concerned agencies.

The BOC said that prior to the arrival of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines, the Ports of NAIA, Davao, and Cebu conducted an inter-port meeting last February to fully prepare airports in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in processing, clearing, releasing, and handling of the vaccines.

"Generally, the successful facilitation of all previously imported vaccines can be attributed to several preparations since 2020, such as consultative meetings with the Department of Finance (DOF), DOH, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Gavi - The Vaccine Alliance, and other agencies; inter-port coordination; site inspections; arrival simulation; and activation of one-stop-shops and assistance hotlines, among others," Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said.

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Pfizer vaccines BOC Covid19 60921 doh
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