ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 04 (PIA) – The Department of Health-Center for Health Development IX  and Isabela City Health Office recently launched the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine inoculation program with the employees of Basilan General Hospital.

During the launching program, Dr. Reynalyn P. Elshazly, the Medical National Immunization Program Coordinator of the Department of Health (DOH), explained that the bivalent vaccines will help boost COVID-19 response by providing protection against the original COVID-19 strain, SARS-COV-2 and Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.

She said that bivalent COVID-19 dose will be given as third booster 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.

Dr. Elshazly also emphasized the importance of bivalent COVID-19 dose to health care workers as an added protection for them as they continue to provide health services to their constituents.

During the launching, Dra. Sitti Nurussamsi Amilasan, Medical Center Chief of Basilan General Hospital was the first who received the bivalent COVID-19 dose. Basilan General Hospital, received a total of 30 vials equivalent to 180 doses.

Isabela City so far has 683 target individuals to receive the third booster 80.60 percent of the target population are fully vaccinated.

As of June 27, 2023 data of the Basilan Inter-Agency Task Force Against COVID-19, there are still six (6) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 wherein three (3) are in Isabela City. (RVC/NDR/PIA Basilan with reports from Rhonaleen F. Natividad )