DOH to procure more bivalent vaccines

The Department of Health (DOH) is procuring more bivalent vaccines against COVID-19 as the initial supply is insufficient for the entire Filipino population.

Approximately 390,000 doses of bivalent vaccines, donated by the COVAX Facility, have arrived in the country.

These vaccines are designed to target specific COVID-19 variants, including the Omicron variant.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stated that the priority recipients for the bivalent vaccines are the elderly, individuals with comorbidities, and healthcare workers.

Most of these vaccines have been distributed in the National Capital Region, with the DOH negotiating to acquire more doses.

Procuring additional vaccines presents challenges due to the World Health Organization lifting the public health emergency status of COVID-19, requiring registration with the Philippine FDA.

Previously, on June 3, the country also received 390,000 doses of bivalent vaccines donated by the Lithuanian government.