LGUs told to prioritize second dose amid COVID-19 vaccine delivery delay
MANILA, Philippines — The National Task Force against COVID-19 instructed local government units to prioritize the administration of second dose of the vaccine made by Sinovac Biotech as the delivery of jabs faces delay.
In a statement, NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said implementing units, particularly in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga and Rizal were told to focus on completely inoculating those who have received the first dose of the Sinovac vaccine until supplies become stable.
There will be delays in the weekly delivery of Sinovac shots and in the arrival of Sputnik V component II jabs, which will serve as the second dose.
The first delivery of Sinovac for the month, consisting of 2.5 million doses, might arrive on the third week. Six million doses from the Chinese vaccine maker are expected to be delivered in July.
“With this development, we advise all LGUs who have Sinovac vaccines in their inventory to ensure that the allocation for the second dose should be used as the second dose,” Galvez said.
“Let us not use the Sinovac supplies intended for second dose as first dose to ensure the fully protection of people who have already received their first shot,” he added in Filipino.
Some LGUs have temporarily suspended first dose vaccinations due to the limited supply of jabs.
Galvez also noted a “disparity” in the country’s vaccination program as only 2.8 million people have so far completed vaccination. Meanwhile, some 11.7 million have received at least one dose.
Officials have been urging the public to get their second dose so they can be protected against COVID-19 variants.
NTF said those who are unable to show up for their scheduled second dose due to illness and other medical conditions are still eligible to get their second shot on a later date.
A new thread on the Philippines' vaccination program in 2021 in the government's revised objective to reach "population protection." Bookmark our COVID-19 and Vaccination Dashboard for the latest figures on the pandemic in the Philippines. — Main image: The STAR/Michael Varcas, file
The city government of Valenzuela City announces that it is temporarily suspending the use of Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as they wait for more vaccine supplies.
ADVISORY: Pansamantalang inihinto ang pagbabakuna ng Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine sa Valenzuela habang naghihintay ng karagdagang supply. (????: Valenzuela LGU) pic.twitter.com/j4yO52jgMN
— PTVph (@PTVph) August 7, 2023
Pasig City government announces the schedule of COVID-19 vaccination in the city from July 15 until July 28.
It advises residents that first, second dose and first and 2nd booster shots are available on a first come, first serve basis in its designated vaccination sites.
Among the available vaccine brands is Sinovac for 6 years old and above. It adds that there are no Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines yet for residents age 12 and above.
Schedule ng Pagbabakuna sa Pasig City |07/25/2023-07/28/2023 | First Come, First Served Basis
— Pasig Info (@PasigInfo) July 24, 2023
Tingnan ang material para sa vaccination sites kung saan makakapagpa - 1st at 2nd dose, at 1st at 2nd booster shot; at kung ano ang mga dapat dalhin sa araw ng pagbabakuna
1/3 pic.twitter.com/yqKG0S41CM
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to lead the rollout of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. — The STAR/Helen Flores
President Marcos will lead the launch of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy of MPC pool) | @helenmflores pic.twitter.com/wbB2An7xgg
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) June 21, 2023
The Department of Health reminds public that they can still avail of the COVID-19 booster and bivalent booster. It reposted an infographic that determines when it is best to get the first two boosters and the bivalent booster.
Senior citizens and frontline health workers may now get their second booster shots, particularly mRNA jabs such as Moderna and Pfizer, the Department of Health announces. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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