The Department of Health (DOH) is exploring the feasibility of utilizing bivalent vaccines as initial and subsequent booster shots, according to a DOH official on Monday.
During a press briefing, DOH Undersecretary Enrique Tayag mentioned that they are currently studying the possibility of administering the bivalent COVID vaccine as both the first and second booster shots, in response to numerous appeals they have received.
“Marami ang umaapela sa amin na kung pwede ay ‘yong bivalent COVID vaccine namin ay maibigay na as first and second booster. Ito ngayon ay pinag-aaralan namin,” said the official.
Tayag further explained that the first batch of over 390,000 doses of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, generously donated by the Lithuanian government last month, were initially designated exclusively for a third booster.
“Binukod po ‘yan para lamang sa third booster. Kaya lang ayaw naman naming isaalang-alang ‘yong apela lalong lalo na kung ito ay galing sa mga evacuation camps,” he said.
Bivalent vaccines are presently administered to healthcare workers and senior citizens, typically four to six months after they received their second booster shot.
In June, the Philippines received a shipment of more than 390,000 bivalent vaccines as a donation from the Lithuanian government. Department of Health (DOH) officials were present to receive the vaccines.
The commencement of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination, led by the DOH, was witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
