‘New generation’ vaccines seen in Q1 of 2023

THE Department of Health (DOH) is projecting that the socalled “new generation” coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines will arrive in the country’s shores during the first quarter of 2023.

According to DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, they see the Covid-19 vaccines that can deal with the Omicron strain and its subvariants not being available in 2022.

“By our estimates, we may be able to acquire these newer generations of vaccines by the first quarter of 2023,” said Vergeire.

She said this is because the new generation vaccines will need to undergo similar evaluation and assessment by the Philippines.

“This is still going to be evaluated based on the processes of the government of the Philippines. We will still be further negotiating and discussing our agreements with manufacturers,” said Vergeire.

Bivalent booster shots

Recently, bivalent Covid-19 booster shots have already been launched in some countries.

The said doses are capable of targeting both the original Covid-19 strain and Omicron subvariants.

For the moment, the health official said the country should focus first on increasing the coverage of current Covid-19 vaccines.

“Until these new generation vaccines are available, we should encourage more to get vaccinated, especially booster shots,” said Vergeire.

As of Thursday, Sept. 8, almost 72.7 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Only over 18.4 million individuals, however, have been given their first booster doses nationwide.

More than 2.4 million have also already received their second booster shots against Covid-19.