MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has an ongoing negotiation with the World Health Organization-backed COVAX Facility for two million doses of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, the Department of Health said Thursday.
The DOH said the negotiations include the documents and legal requirements that will be signed and submitted by the government “since this will be the first time again that the Philippines will be receiving vaccines from the COVAX Facility after Republic Act 11525 ceased.”
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The COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 is no longer in effect following the expiration of the state of calamity declaration on Dec. 31, 2023.
“Once these documents are cleared and submitted, approval of allocation by COVAX will follow to commence the delivery,” the health department said.
The Philippines started administering bivalent COVID-19 shots—which offer protection against the original COVID-19 virus and the Omicron variant—to healthcare workers Wednesday.
Health workers and senior citizens who received second booster shots four to six months ago are eligible for the initial rollout of bivalent jabs.
The government of Lithuania donated the 390,000 bivalent vaccine doses that will be used for the program.
More than 79.1 million individuals were fully immunized against COVID-19, latest data from the DOH showed. However, only 24.1 million people received boosters.