Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa disclosed on Tuesday, Oct. 24, that the Philippines had already administered all 390,000 bivalent vaccines.
"We just hope that with the majority of Filipinos fully vaccinated, Covid-19 symptoms will remain mild," he said during a live televised press briefing on PTV Bagong Pilipinas.
Asked about Filipinos who have not yet received the bivalent vaccine because the doses have already been consumed, Herbosa explained: "It's a bit complex because there is now a new vaccine available, the Monovalent XBB, which was announced by Moderna in the US."
Herbosa pointed out that it was discovered that the bivalent vaccine is “not as effective” because it "primarily enhances antibodies against the original variants rather than the newer ones."
He also emphasized that approximately 70 percent of the antibodies produced by the bivalent vaccine still target the older variants --- offering limited protection against emerging variants.
"They changed again their formula and created the Monovalent XBB," he said. "We will still think whether we will need that depending on our increase in cases," Herbosa pointed out.
Meanwhile, Herbosa stressed that the primary recipients of the Monovalent XBB would be the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions.
The DOH, he said, will closely monitor the recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the strategies implemented by other countries to determine the most suitable course of action.
"General precautions are still in place for everyone, and if Covid-19 cases surge, we will promptly inform the public," Herbosa said. He added that the Epidemiology Bureau is actively monitoring the country's Covid-19 cases.
While Singapore has recently reported a "resurgence" of Covid-19 cases, Herbosa clarified that the Philippines has not witnessed a similar trend.
He mentioned that Singapore has "encountered a different variety of the Omicron variant" which, so far, has resulted in mild symptoms and no reported fatalities. (Zekinah Elize Espina)