BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Health - Cordillera (DOH-CAR) invites  the elderly and the health care workers who have received their second COVID-19 booster shot to get their bivalent vaccine booster for added protection.

The new COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use as booster is said to generate an immune response, not only to the original strain but also to Omicron subvariants.

"COVID-19 and its variants can still threaten livelihoods, learning in schools, and resumption of daily living. At this time, your primary series is not enough to protect you. The best protection against COVID-19 is vaccination," DOH-CAR Nurse V Joyce Rillorta said during the 2nd Quarter Regional Implementation Coordination Team meeting here on Wednesday, July 12.

For the first phase rollout of the bivalent jabs, prioritized are individuals aged 18 years old and above belonging to priority groups A1 or health care workers and A2 or senior citizens. They can receive the vaccine at least four to six months after receiving their second booster dose.

However, DOH-CAR Medical Officer III Dr. Anachris Kilakil clarified that based on the recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council, the bivalent vaccine can be utilized as a second booster. But with the limited stock, they will not be administering it yet as second booster.

"Because of the limitations sa stock, hindi muna natin siya gagamitin as second booster for now," Kilakil said.

In the  Cordillera region, Baguio City is the  only local government unit  that received  supply of 11,760 doses of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. As of July 9, the city  health workers  were  able to vaccinate 1,083 of the A1 population and 1,136 of the A2 population or  equivalent to 18.8 percent utilization. The 2219 individuals  jabbed with bivalent vaccine, however, represent just 1.23% of the  180,165  target population composed of 45,072 A1 and 135,093 A2.  

With the lagging rollout of the bivalent vaccine in the city, Rillorta said the DOH-CAR will pullout 600 vials or 3,600 doses to be distributed to provinces that have signified their intent to avail of the vaccine.

 Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has  ordered the immediate vaccination of the priority population as the bivalent doses only have six-month shelf-life upon delivery. He said the bivalent vaccines donated by the Lithuanian government will expire on November 23, 2023. year.
 
The DOH earlier announced that the government is in talks with the COVAX Facility for the possible delivery of two million doses of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines this year.
 
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration has  approved the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for Pfizer to sell and distribute its bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in the country. Granted CPR is the COVID-19 Vaccine Tozinameran + Famtozinameran (15 mcg/15 mcg)/0.3 mL which is suitable for individuals 12 years old and above. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)