Where do millions of vax syringes, vials go, senators ask DENR

The millions of COVID-19 vaccine shots administered to Filipinos mean millions of syringes and vials turning into wastes.

And, the possibility of booster jabs arriving in the coming months could spell additional tons of wastes.  But, where do these used syringes go?

“Lumalabas po na tatlong uri lang ito: Una yung karayom, pangalawa yung heringilya, pangatlo po ‘yung maliit na bote na pinanggalingan ng bakuna,” Senator Francis Tolentino said on Thursday’s briefing at the Senate on the proposed 2022 budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The senator said he has yet to see any facility that manages proper disposal of used COVID-19 items, citing that these are regarded as “biomedical waste.”

Senator Cynthia Villar urged the DENR to look into its role in regulating and helping in the disposal of medical wastes used to treat COVID-19.

Tolentino said the DENR must have clear guidelines on the proper disposal of used COVID-19 paraphernalia to ensure the population’s health is not put in peril .

“If we will add another booster, which was approved by the US-FDA yesterday, that would total to 210 million needles, syringes, and small bottles, saan po itatambak yung 210 million needles, syringes, and small bottles?” he said.

DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said the used COVID-19 materials coming from the hospitals are being segregated and treated on-site using chemicals before they are brought to treatment storages and disposal facilities.

The government earlier said there are around 24 million Filipinos fully vaccinated against COVID-19.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News

Where do millions of vax syringes, vials go, senators ask DENR
Source: Filipino Viral News PH