End-March COVAX bivalent vaccinations for Philippines

Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said on February 28 that the Philippines would get 1,002,000 doses of bivalent coronavirus vaccinations from the worldwide COVAX facility.

“The EUA for bivalent vaccinations that will be supplied to us has already been issued,” Vergeire added, referring to emergency use authorisation. Pfizer is donating the bivalent vaccines from COVAX.

Bivalent COVID-19 vaccinations include mRNA from the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, similar to the original vaccine, as well as mRNA from the BA.4 or BA.5 Omicron variant. They were designed to combat several COVID-19 variations and prevent serious sickness.

COVAX, also known as the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Fund, is a worldwide cooperation aimed towards accelerating the discovery, production, and equitable distribution of novel vaccines.

As the bivalent vaccinations arrive in the country, prioritizing will be enforced, per Vergeire.

She stated, “We are now focusing the A1 (health care workers) and A2 (senior people) populations.”

Vergeire stated that the Department of Health has already produced administration instructions for bivalent vaccinations. Before disseminating the recommendations through a memorandum, the health department is seeking signatures from its executive committee.

From February 20 to February 26, a total of 832 illnesses were recorded in the Philippines, a decrease of 19 cases.

In January, the World Health Organization stated that COVID-19 continues to be a global health emergency of worldwide concern. The pandemic is likely at a “transitional phase” that still requires “careful management” to “mitigate the potential for adverse effects.”

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