A Negros Occidental health official on Wednesday, December 1, explained the non-utilization of 1,462 vials or 14,620 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines with November 30 expiration dates.
Dr. Claudelia Josefa S. Pabillo, Negros Occidental designated cold chain coordinator, in a letter to Dr. Adriano Suba-an, Department of Health 6 regional director, said they received 4,530 vials (10 doses per vial) or 45,300 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from the DOH on November 8 with expiration dates on November 30.
The province also received 3,172 vials (8 doses per vial preparation) or 15,376 doses on October 25 with expiration dates on November 30, she said.
The remaining unutilized 1,462 vials were from the November 8 batch, said Pabillo, who was appointed cold chain coordinator on November 8.
“From the time the new team was assigned for the distribution of the vaccines to different LGUs and hospitals involved in the vaccination activity of the provincial government, we have always kept in mind to prioritize the distribution of vaccines with near expiration dates, fully aware for the need to maximize the limited resources (vaccines) distributed to the province,” she said.
However, in the last few days prior to the expiration of the vaccines on November, some LGUs through their municipal/city health officers expressed their preference to use other vaccines with longer expiration periods, she added.
Pabillo said as the person in charge of the distribution of the vaccines, she took into consideration the following: decrease or loss potency of biological products when used beyond their expiration period as determined by the manufacturers; the delicateness of the vaccines; taking into consideration the possibility that the near expiring units being mixed with those with longer shelf life; and the possibility that the expired vaccine will unknowingly be given to a vaccinee.
Based on those reasons, she deemed it prudent to refrain from distributing the remaining stocks of the vaccines in the last two days of the month of November during the National Vaccination Days, Pabillo added.
“There was never any intent to waste the very limited resources of the government, but the welfare of the recipient has to take primary consideration in the decision making process,” she said.*