The Philippines must prepare for bivalent Covid-19 vaccines, a founder of a non-profit advocacy group said.
Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said in a statement on Sunday, Oct. 9, that it will be important as the country tries to maintain economic activity amid economic and political volatility around the world.
“Bivalent vaccines will help us (we) protect the vulnerable and those who are essential to keeping our economy going,” Concepcion said.
He added that securing the vaccines early will be important if the country is to inspire confidence among investors that it will not experience any more disruptions because of the virus.
He explained that bivalent Covid-19 vaccines provide protection against both the original strain of the SARS-CoV2 virus and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. Previous vaccines also offer protection against the Omicron variants, but not as much as the bivalent vaccines.
According to infectious diseases expert and Vaccine Expert Panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante, "bivalent vaccines have a broader antibody production compared to current vaccines available. With a broader antibody, longer duration of protection is its advantage over current vaccines."
He further said that if the bivalent vaccines are made available, it might encourage people, especially those who have not received booster doses to get their shots.
Concepcion said that the Philippines needs to prepare early to secure its supply of the vaccines, saying “a lot of countries have already placed their orders" while there is still no Food and Drug Administration approval yet for these vaccines here.
He explained that pharmaceutical companies, who have bivalent vaccines, will likely choose to be indemnified by the government.
“This will need an Emergency Use Authorization, which is possible if the government extends the State of Public Health Emergency up to when the bivalent vaccines will be available to us,” he said.
In the United States, bivalent vaccines are recommended for those who have not been boostered, or as a second booster dose to 18 to 50 years old with comorbidities, those 50 years and older, immunocompromised and healthcare workers.