BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is already training its sights on the challenging importation and transportation of the expected arrival of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines.
While a financing scheme is already in place once the vaccine becomes available, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the storage of the vaccines from AstraZeneca is what they are preparing for, as it has to be frozen at around -90 degrees Celsius. Lacson earlier entered a tripartite agreement with the British vaccine maker and the national government for the acquisition of 100 vials of the anti-coronavirus shots.
According to Lacson, delivery could take place between the second quarter, or in the early part of the third quarter this year.
The provincial government, he said, already identified the storage area for the vaccines and they are in the process of buying additional equipment that can store up to negative -70 degrees Celsius.
The equipment will be placed in strategic areas, especially those near the designated vaccination centers.
Lacson also said they will follow the protocols and guidelines set by the World Health Organization in identifying individuals who will be included in the mass vaccination.
He encouraged the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Negros Occidental chapter to strongly lobby to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez that the national government will provide a big percentage of free COVID-19 vaccines, especially for the province’s 4th and 5th class municipalities./PN
