QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Department of Health (DOH) in launching the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pfizer bivalent vaccines in a program at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) in Quezon City on Wednesday, June 21.

Earlier this month, the Philippines received its first batch of said vaccines with 390,000 doses donated by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

According to the Department of Health Memorandum No. 2023-0178, a phased approach shall be implemented in inoculation wherein initially shall be given as a 3rd booster dose for individuals aged 18 years old and above belonging to priority groups A1 (healthcare workers), and A2 (senior citizens) at least four (4) to six (6) months after completion of a second booster dose.

A facility-based implementation shall be observed for this pilot roll-out in select sites in all regions such as in the hospitals and/or health facilities (city health office, rural health units).

Bivalent vaccines can provide protection against two virus strains: the original COVID-19 strain and Omicron subvariants.  The original vaccine shot is called the monovalent because it targeted only one strain.

Pfizer reported updated clinical trial data in November 2022 that showed levels of neutralizing antibodies in the bivalent booster were 4-fold higher against Omicron BA.4/BA.5 sublineages in people 55 and older than in people of similar ages who got a monovalent booster, which targeted only the original virus. 

Vaccination process

The vaccination site shall ensure the following process flow for vaccine administration: registration, vaccine education, health screening, vaccine administration, and post-vaccination monitoring.

Depending on the eligibility, vaccine recipients shall submit the necessary documents to the vaccination team. Here is the list of vaccination requirements per eligible population group, valid identification cards, proof of filiation, and comorbidities requiring medical clearance and certification. 

Meanwhile, there will be a dedicated health education area for the whole vaccination site where IEC materials shall be available. This will be available at all times to provide vaccine recipients with the necessary information and to answer any questions.

Then health screeners such as doctors and trained nurses shall be deployed or assigned to explain the benefits, risks, and possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines.

They will also assess eligible vaccine recipients for COVID-19 symptoms, comorbidities, and other important clinical information.

For the adult population, screen for potential allergies to vaccine components, food, and medicines, pregnancy, vaccination with other COVID-19 vaccines, history of bleeding disorders, possible symptoms of COVID-19 infection, exposure to COVID-19, vaccination with other non-COVID vaccines. Blood pressure measurement prior to vaccination of the adult population shall not be required but may be done at the discretion of the vaccination team in the vaccination sites.

An informed consent must also be secured prior to the vaccine administration. After the vaccine administration, the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) / Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESI) composite team shall monitor the vaccine recipient and observe for any adverse reaction.

Possible side effects of this bivalent vaccine are pain, redness, or swelling at the site where the shot was administered, and/or tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, or nausea throughout the rest of the body. If these side effects occur, they should go away in a few days. A few side effects are serious but rare. These include anaphylaxis but is treatable.

The vaccination team shall ensure the vaccine recipient is well before leaving the vaccination site.

President Marcos urges Filipinos to keep their COVID-19 vaccines updated and help prevent the resurgence of the virus.

"To every Filipino, continue doing your part, and get updated on your COVID-19 vaccination to prevent the resurgence. I, thus, appeal to everyone especially those who have yet to receive the primary series of vaccinations to get vaccinated against COVID-19," the Chief Executive said.

If an individual hasn’t received a second booster dose yet, AstraZeneca will be the brand of the second booster and can get vaccinated 3 months after the first booster dose.

Meanwhile, Pfizer or Moderna will be the brand of the second booster if will be vaccinated 4 months after the first booster dose.  (KSAA – PIA CPSD)