DILI, 23 september 2021 (TATOLI) – Four of the ultra-cold temperature freezers for Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine storage had arrived in Timor-Leste, the Procurement Director of the Timor-Leste’s Medical and Pharmaceutical Supply Agency (SAMES), Francisco Borges said.
Borges informed that the four ultra-cold temperature freezers were purchased by UNICEF for Covid-19 Pfizer vaccines storage.
“Yesterday, SAMES received another four units of ultra-cold temperature freezers, including the stabilizers. These freezers are currently kept at the SAMES warehouse,” Borges told reporters at the main campus of the University of Dili, today.
He said SAMES would discuss with technical parties, regarding the detail of the freezers before their installation.
“The four freezers will be placed only at the SAMES’ warehouse because they require adequate condition and proper control to ensure Pfizer vaccines will store in a safe condition.
Borges said that once the freezers are installed, they have to be tested to ensure their safety for the storage of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine: “Capacity building and training for SAMES staff members are crucial to ensure that the freezers will be properly controlled following the recommendation given by the health authorities.
“These four-unit freezers are hydra brand. They are the same brand as those we had received previously, making it easier for the government to carry out the maintenance,” added Borges.
A day earlier, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães informed the first batch of the 100.602 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine will arrive in Timor-Leste at the end of september or the beginning of october.
“The vaccine will be administered first at the pre-selected municipalities. The first phase of the administration of the vaccine would be focused on the 50.000 Timorese school children aged 12 and 17. After that, the second phase of the administration of the vaccine would be concentrated on those children who don’t go to school,” he said.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine requires two doses given 21 days apart.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
