ILOILO CITY – The city government has started administering COVID-19 bivalent vaccines to health workers and senior citizens with comorbidities.
According to City Health Office chief Dr. Annabelle Tang, the city government received 268 vials or 1,600 doses of bivalent vaccines from the Department of Health (DOH).
Tang said hospitals were given 10 vials each while the remaining 168 vials were being rolled out to the city government health personnel assigned at the district health centers and other health facilities and to senior citizens in the community.
“Management and administration are based on the DOH Department Memorandum No. 2023-0178,” said Tang.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, meanwhile, said the city will open the vaccine to everyone once more vaccines become available.
On March 31, 2023, then DOH officer-in-charge Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire issued Department Memorandum No. 2023- 0178 setting interim guidelines on the management and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer bivalent.
“The COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer bivalent rollout shall employ a phased approach to prioritize the protection of healthcare workers and of the most vulnerable population and healthcare capacity, while expansion of stock availability is being pursued,” read part of the guidelines.
For Phase 1
* The COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer bivalent shall be given as a third booster dose for individuals aged 18 years old and above, belonging to priority groups A1 (health workers) and A2 (senior citizens) at least four to six months after inoculation with a second booster dose.
* Facility-based implementation shall be observed for the pilot rollout in select sites in all regions such as in the hospitals/ and/or health facilities (city health offices, rural health units).
For succeeding phases
* Other population groups shall be made eligible, subject to availability of stocks and other changes in context, such as relevant regulatory authorization, technical recommendations and executive directions.
* Expansion of eligibility and changes thereto shall be released through a separate issuance./PN
