5-8-2023 (MANILA) Health Secretary Ted Herbosa made a significant announcement yesterday, stating that immunocompromised individuals belonging to the A3 category are now eligible to receive bivalent COVID-19 vaccines. This decision comes as a part of the government’s efforts to expand vaccine access and protect vulnerable populations from the ongoing pandemic.
Not limited to immunocompromised individuals alone, health care workers and senior citizens who have only received one booster dose are also included in this expansion. These individuals will now be able to receive the bivalent jabs as their second booster dose, as opposed to the previous practice of reserving bivalent vaccines exclusively for health workers and senior citizens as a third booster.
The move to include the A3 category in the bivalent vaccination program was prompted by a need to efficiently utilize the existing vaccine supply. According to Secretary Herbosa, there are currently 390,000 doses of bivalent vaccines that are set to expire on August 30. By extending eligibility to immunocompromised individuals and other groups, the government aims to accelerate the distribution and administration of these doses, ensuring that they do not go to waste.
The rollout of bivalent COVID-19 shots initially began on June 21, with health care workers being the first to receive them. Subsequently, the country received a generous donation of 391,860 doses of COVID-19 Pfizer bivalent vaccines from Lithuania on June 3, boosting the national vaccination drive.
