ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Following the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) issued guidelines for expanding the inoculation of vulnerable populations with the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine.

In a press release, the DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development explained that this move is pursuant to DOH Memorandum No. 2023-0256 which aims to vaccinate individuals aged 18 years old and above who belong to priority groups A1 or healthcare workers, A2 or senior citizens, and A3 or adults with comorbidities, and their subgroups – A1.1 to A1.9 or the expanded A1, A2.1 and A2.2, and the expanded A3.

On the other hand, with this bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, the region was provided with a total of 11,760 doses and since then, Dr. Juanico-Esteva reported that they were able to vaccinate 4,447 individuals of 37.81% of the said number of doses.

“Vaccination remains to be the most important way in our collective efforts to fight this virus, and booster vaccines are essential in maintaining long-term immunity. As we approach this endemic phase, a better vaccination program with the continuing support of our partners and stakeholders is a key factor that would allow us to be on the right path towards a better and healthier Pilipinas,” he added. (AAL/FRG/PIA6)