MANILA – Bivalent vaccines that target newer variants of concern may not be available in the Philippines until the first quarter of 2023, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday.

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This comes after an official of vaccine manufacturer Moderna said in a television interview that their bivalent vaccines will be available for the Philippines in November.

“So tayo naman, the earliest time possible that we can be able to procure, that is our goal. But we have to understand that we go through different process for regulating these products,” said Health Officer-In-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press conference in Cabanatuan City.

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The health official stressed the importance of making sure that new COVID-19 vaccines will be safe for the public.

“November, I think might not be feasible for us. That’s why we are targeting the first quarter of 2023 when all of these mechanisms or clearances are already there, nakuha na natin," she said.

• US foresees annual COVID boosters, just like flu: officials

Meanwhile, the DOH said there is still no recommendation for 5 to 11 year olds to receive a COVID-19 booster, citing lack of evidence that supports the move. There is also no application currently lodged by vaccine manufacturers.

“So we still advise ang ating mga nanay at tatay na ang mga bata po, wala silang booster. Pangalawa, yung kanilang coverage for 5 to 11 years old is still below 50 percent. So mas vulnerable at itinuturing po nating vulnerable ang ating mga kabataan. Kaya sana po, yung ating mga magulang, they would have that voluntary decision para mag-mask po ang ating mga kabataan pagpasok sa eskwelahan,” Vergeire said.

• COVID vaccines saved 20 million lives in first year, study shows

As of Nov. 1, more than 73.5 million people in the country have been fully-vaccinated against COVID-19 with nearly 20.6 million given one booster.

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