The Walk-In Cold Room Storage located at the the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital with (L-R) UNICEF UNICEF Immunization Specialist Carla A. Orozco, Pangasinan DOH Provincial Health Team Leader Veronica G. De Guzman and Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino during the inauguration and blessing of the cold room facility on January 18, 2023 in Brgy. Bolingit, San Carlos City, Pangasinan.
San Carlos City, Pangasinan – The Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region inaugurated the first Walk-In Cold Room storage for vaccines in Ilocos Region located at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in Barangay Bolingit, San Carlos, Pangasinan yesterday, January 18, 2023.
The 30-cubic meter walk-in cold room, with the capacity to store 4,920 liters of vaccines (190,000 vials) at temperatures between 2 to 8°C was donated by UNICEF through COVAX support for the specific needs of COVID-19 vaccines that require storage at lower temperatures.
“This will ensure operationalization and implementation of proper vaccine cold chain management to ensure vaccine potency from storage facility to vaccination sites. It will also increase our vaccine capacity, especially in the delivery of vaccination activities in the province of Pangasinan as we make routine immunization services more accessible to all children and special population,” Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated.
Sydiongco added that the regional office will provide technical assistance in the monitoring and effective utilization of the donated equipment.
“We are grateful for the support of UNICEF and COVAX as continue to strengthen our vaccine storage capacity and accelerate the on-going COVID-19 vax drive.”
To date, the province of Pangasinan immunized 2.2 million of its residents for Covid-19.
UNICEF Immunization Specialist Carla A. Orozco, said that they are providing assistance ensure that quality vaccines are available and delivered on time.
“This will be used not only for Covid-19 vaccines but for also vials for routine immunization such as such as polio, measles and tuberculosis which are life-threatening diseases. In 2021, we in the top 5 contributor to the 18 million zero-dose children globally and the top 7 contributor with the most children unprotected for measles.”
“With the nine cold rooms strategically installed in various regions, immunization coverage will greatly improve and vaccine supply will be ensured.”
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Mark G. Lambino expressed his sincere appreciation in behalf of the provincial government of the Pangasinan.
“This generous support is an example of a working relationship between government and partner agencies and international organizations which can be utilized even beyond the pandemic as it will continue to serve and boost routine vaccination programs in the province.”
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