Bivalent Covid-19 jabs to be administered as 3rd booster shot, says DOH
The donated bivalent Covid-19 vaccines will be administered as a third booster shot for individuals belonging to priority groups A1 and A2, said the Department of Health (DOH).
Around 391,000 doses of bivalent Covid-19 jabs are expected to arrive in June according to the DOH. These vaccines, which were supposed to arrive in May but were delayed due to “permits that have yet to be coordinated,” provide better protection against Covid-19 and its transmissible and immune-evasive variants.
Once these vaccines arrive in the Philippines, the DOH said its rollout will follow a “phased approach,” prioritizing the protection of health workers and the most vulnerable population.
In a memorandum signed by DOH Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire, the health department explained the general guidelines for the said inoculation. “The Covid-19 Vaccine Pfizer bivalent shall be given as a third booster dose for individuals aged 18 years old and above belonging to priority groups A1 or healthcare workers and A2 or senior citizens at least four to six months after inoculation with a second booster dose,” said DOH. The pilot-rollout, according to the department, will be conducted in selected hospitals and health facilities such as city health offices and rural health units. “[For the succeeding phases,] other population groups shall be made eligible, subject to availability of stocks and other changes in context such as relevant regulatory authorization, technical recommendations and executive directions,” it added. Latest data from the DOH showed that a total of 674,471 individuals belonging to the A1 population have received their second booster shot, while 970,020 Filipinos belonging to the A2 group have completed their second booster dose.
Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines (AFP / Manila Bulletin)
In a memorandum signed by DOH Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire, the health department explained the general guidelines for the said inoculation. “The Covid-19 Vaccine Pfizer bivalent shall be given as a third booster dose for individuals aged 18 years old and above belonging to priority groups A1 or healthcare workers and A2 or senior citizens at least four to six months after inoculation with a second booster dose,” said DOH. The pilot-rollout, according to the department, will be conducted in selected hospitals and health facilities such as city health offices and rural health units. “[For the succeeding phases,] other population groups shall be made eligible, subject to availability of stocks and other changes in context such as relevant regulatory authorization, technical recommendations and executive directions,” it added. Latest data from the DOH showed that a total of 674,471 individuals belonging to the A1 population have received their second booster shot, while 970,020 Filipinos belonging to the A2 group have completed their second booster dose.