Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 22) — The Philippines is negotiating with COVAX, a global initiative for COVID-19 vaccine access, for two million doses of bivalent COVID-19 shots, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday.
“There is an ongoing negotiation with the COVAX facility to facilitate a request from the Philippines of [two million] doses of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines,” the DOH said.
“Negotiations include the requisite documents and legal requirements to be signed and submitted by the Philippine government, since this will be the first time again that the Philippines will be receiving vaccines from the COVAX facility after [Republic Act] 11525 ceased,” it also said.
“Once these documents are cleared and submitted, approval of allocation by COVAX will follow to commence the delivery,” the agency added.
The COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 had lapsed after the COVID-19 state of calamity proclamation ended. It was declared during the Duterte administration.
The law expedited the vaccine procurement and administration process, as well as provided the needed funds.
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The Philippines received 390,000 shots of COVID-19 bivalent vaccines on June 3 donated by the Lithuanian government.
The bivalent shots will serve as a third booster for priority groups such as health care workers and people with underlying illnesses.
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The DOH began the inoculation on Wednesday. The vaccines will expire in November.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appealed to local government units to encourage the elderly and those with other illnesses to receive bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as they were vulnerable to the virus.
