An infectious disease expert on Friday, July 7, cited the importance of elders getting inoculated with bivalent vaccines especially during the rainy season.

In a webinar hosted by University of the Philippines (UP), infectious disease specialist Franco Felizarta explained that "based on all the studies, my recommendation is the bivalent vaccine is indicated for the elderly, for 65 and older." 

“Especially, during seasons where the incidence of respiratory diseases are increase [increasing], for example, in the Philippines during [the] rainy season you want it (vaccine) just before the rainy season, and in the United States, you want to give the vaccine just before winter season," Felizarta, who is also a member of UP Medical Alumni Society in America, said to support his opinion on bivalent vaccine distribution.

(PIXABAY)

Bivalent is a vaccine that consists of ancestral strains, BA.4 and BA.5 strains of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant.

“In other age groups, non-elderly, the indication is less clear because the effect is modest. Not only that, it's short-lived for newer variants, especially XBB,” Felizarta also pointed out.

"Remember, in the Philippines, about 90 percent are XBB (Covid-19 variant), and in the United States, at least 95 percent are XBB, and now remember, this is my opinion," he clarified. 

Omicron XBB strains persist in early to late June

Felizarta noted that 90 percent of the circulating viruses in the Philippines were XBB strains (Omicron sub-variant). 

"In early June, the most dominant variant was the XBB strain 191 Hyperion, 32 percent. In late June, the most dominant XBB Strain was the Arcturus or XBB 1.16," he said.

"In the United States, it's about 95 percent. Remember what's happening is if we initially, we have all these different variants, and then it's replaced by different omicrons and variants, and now we're having different XBB strains," he added.

DOH chief urges public to continue to practice precautions

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa reminded the public to continue practicing minimum health protocols.

"Even so, as Covid-19 remained to be with us, we shall continue to assess our risk and continue to apply our layers of protection, which are wearing masks, isolating when sick, ensuring good airflow, and getting vaccinated against the virus," Herbosa said in his message for the special edition webinar, "Bivalent Vaccine, Nandito Na: Ano ang Latest."

He also encouraged the public that "whether bivalent or monovalent, we (DOH) encourage everyone to get boosted so that we do not have to face the fears of the past when we did, and we did not even have enough defense in our arsenals." (Sonny Daanoy)

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/21/ph-kicks-off-bivalent-vaccination-rollout-2