Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) — COVID-19 bivalent vaccines may now be given as boosters to adults with underlying illnesses, according to the Department of Health.
They will join the other priority groups – senior citizens and health care workers – in the bivalent vaccination program.
In a memorandum issued last month, the DOH said the bivalent shots may be used as the first, second, or third booster doses for the identified individuals, provided their latest vaccination was at least four to six months ago.
The government rolled out the bivalent vaccination of health care workers and senior citizens in June using 390,000 doses donated by the Lithuanian government.
READ: First batch of donated bivalent COVID-19 vaccines arrives in PH
“Facility-based implementation shall be observed for the pilot rollout in select sites in all regions such as in hospitals and/or health facilities,” the DOH noted.
The Food and Drug Administration earlier approved the Certificate of Product Registration for Pfizer’s bivalent vaccines, which means these may be purchased by the public once supply is available in the market.
CNN Philippines’ correspondent Kaithreen Cruz contributed to this report.
