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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Health expert hopes bivalent vaccines can help increase PH's Covid-19 booster uptake

Health expert hopes bivalent vaccines can help increase PH's Covid-19 booster uptake

Published Jan 12, 2023 05:27 pm

Coronavirus vaccines have been prepared for distribution at a vaccination site in Manila on May 18, 2021. (Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)

An infectious disease expert is hoping that the upcoming arrival of bivalent Covid-19 vaccines can help improve the country’s booster shot uptake.

Dr. Edsel Salvana said that this type of Covid-19 vaccine is effective against the new coronavirus variants.

“Hopefully, kapag sinabi natin na, ‘Okay, nandito na iyong mga bivalent boosters,’ lalung-lalo na iyong ating vulnerable population ay tumaas din po iyong kanilang uptake nito (when we say, 'Okay, these bivalent boosters are here,' the uptake will also increase, especially our vulnerable population),” said Salvana in a public briefing on Thursday, Jan. 12.

“Hopefully, itong (these) bivalent vaccines will also boost, hindi lang iyong (not just the) immunity but also boost the vaccine uptake,” he added.

Salvana said that the bivalent vaccines are currently being used as a booster shot in the US.

“Ang bivalent vaccine is only indicated as a booster. Even sa US ganoon pa rin. Ang gagamitin pa rin natin na primary series, iyong first dose and second dose, ay iyong lumang bakuna – iyong monovalent (Even in the US, it's still like that. For the primary series—first and second dose—we will still use the monovalent),” he said.

“In the US, ang bivalent ay ginagamit lang nila for now para sa booster. Itong bagong boosters na bivalent vaccines, iyong bivalent vaccines ay hindi pa siya gagamitin as primary series. Sa ngayon ay monovalent pa rin iyong primary series (the bivalent is only being used as a booster for now. These new bivalent boosters will not be used as primary series yet. Right now, the primary series is still monovalent),” he added.

Over 73.8 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against the viral disease since the government started the program in March 2021. However, only 21.2 million people have received boosters.

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BIVALENT VACCINES covid-19 Department of Health (DOH)
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