The inoculation of bivalent Covid-19 booster shots officially commenced at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on Wednesday, June 21.

In his speech, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa encouraged the public, initially those belonging to the A1 and A2 categories, to get boosted against the virus.

"The Department of Health urges everyone, starting the healthcare workers and senior citizens, to strengthen their immunity against Covid-19 by getting these bivalent boosters," Herbosa said.

"Magpabakuna at magpabooster na tayo para sa isang healthy Pilipinas kung saan 'Bawat Buhay ay Mahalaga' (Let us get vaccinated and boosted for a healthy Philippines where 'Every Life Matters')," he added.

After the ceremony, Herbosa received his bivalent booster shot, followed by over 2,500 healthcare workers.

The Philippines obtained 391,000 bivalent vaccines from the Lithuanian government on June 3.

DOH will prioritize administering these donated vaccines as a third booster shot to healthcare workers and the elderly population who had their second booster four to six months ago.

Meanwhile, the COVAX Facility also donated 390,000 doses of said vaccines on June 13.

The bivalent vaccine contains two mRNA components, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

One of which corresponds to the original Wuhan strain that is broadly protective against Covid-19 while the other corresponds to the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by LUISA K. CABATO

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