Public urged: Get bivalent shots

MANILA, Philippines — Despite a continuing decline in COVID-19 cases nationwide, a health expert has advised vulnerable groups to get bivalent vaccine shots.

Infectious disease specialist Rontgene Solante said only those belonging to the vulnerable population and who are fully vaccinated are qualified to receive the bivalent vaccines.

“Data show bivalent vaccines are only given to those who have completed the primary vaccine series and the booster,” Solante said during the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday.

He said the supply of bivalent vaccines is limited and the government should prioritize those who need to receive it.

Bivalent vaccines can be given four to six months after completing the COVID vaccine primary series.

Earlier, the Department of Health announced that around one million doses of bivalent vaccines from the global COVAX Facility would arrive in the country this month.

Solante urged the public, particularly the elderly and other vulnerable population, to avail themselves of the government’s vaccination program for COVID.

He said it is important for the qualified sector to receive the bivalent vaccines to prevent transmission and possible rise in cases.

“Once we roll out the bivalent booster, this will serve as a test if people will still accept the vaccination,” Solante said. “Let’s remind the qualified population to get the bivalent booster. I hope they will accept it, so we can maintain the lower number of cases and no transmission.”

Solante lamented that fewer people are availing themselves of the COVID vaccine as cases continue to drop.

He said it is necessary to maintain a low number of COVID cases so as to prevent the emergence of new variants.