PH COVID-19 bivalent vaccination starts; Herbosa gets first jab in NCR

The government officially launched on Wednesday the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa received his bivalent COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, thus becoming the first recipient in the National Capital Region.

This as Herbosa presided the launch of the bivalent vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. also graced the event.

In his speech, Marcos renewed his call for Filipinos who remain unprotected against COVID-19 to get vaccinated.

"Let this occasion serve as a call to every Filipino to continue doing your part, get updated on your COVID-19 vaccination, to prevent the resurgence as a means of honoring those who sacrificed their lives during the pandemic," Marcos said.

"I thus appeal to everyone, especially those who have yet to receive their primary series of vaccinations, to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is not for your own good alone but also for the protection of your families and the general public," he added.

Blood pressure up

Meanwhile, Herbosa said that after the vaccination, his blood pressure went up.

"Talagang due na talaga ko sa healthcare worker, siyempre priority kami and I'm also 65 so andoon ako sa both A1 and A2 category," he told reporters.

(I'm already due given that I'm a healthworker and we are included in the priority sector. I'm also 65 so I'm included in the A1 and A2 category.)

"Mataas daw BP ko after the injection, 160 eh so pinaupo ako. Huwag daw akong tumayo," he added.

(My blood pressure went up so they asked me to sit. They told me not to stand up.)

The Department of Health (DOH) has said bivalent vaccines provide protection against the original COVID-19 strain, SARS-CoV-2, and Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.

Herbosa earlier said those who would be prioritized in the bivalent vaccination are the elderly and the healthcare personnel.

A total of 2,900 bivalent doses were given to the Philippine Heart Center. Around 2,500 employees of the hospital are expected to be vaccinated in three days.

These bivalent vaccines were part of the over 390,000 doses donated by Lithuania early this month.

Herbosa said negotiations are ongoing to acquire more bivalent vaccines as he admits that the donated ones are not enough.

"Definitely kulang no, we're actually happy na mayroong dumating. If you remember, OIC Usec. [Maria Rosario] Vergeire was saying dadating earlier and then naantala, napunta sa ibang bansa. Tapos buti na lang ang Lithuania binigyan tayo," Herbosa said.

(Definitely, it's not enough, we're actually happy that they arrived. If you remember, OIC Usec. Vergeire was saying it will come at an earlier time and then it was delayed. It was brought to other countries, then Lithuania donated.)

"The negotiation for the next million doses is continuing and we will acquire the subsequent doses both from COVAX at also 'yung procurement na bibilhin natin para lahat ng elderly at vulnerable ma-cover natin," he added. —KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News