After introducing the Bivalent COVID-19 booster dose to A1 population or the frontline workers in health facilities, the City Government of Valenzuela through its VCVax will roll out the 3rd booster dose vaccination to the A2 population or the senior citizens, July 18. 

In line with the Department Memorandum No. 2023-D178 by the Department of Health (DOH) released last March 31, 2023, they mapped out the implementing guidelines for administering Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine dose. It was stated that priority groups, specifically adults belonging to the A1 & A2 population groups (healthcare workers and senior citizens respectively) would be the first groups to be vaccinated. 

The Bivalent roll-out will run in a phased approach to prioritize the protection of the healthcare workers and the most vulnerable population. Running the Phase 1 of the third booster dose, the Department of Health (DOH) allocated Valenzuela City with some 2,250 Bivalent doses. With its limited supply, the LGU has decided to prioritize all healthcare workers catering to COVID-19 patients, aged 18 and above, from different hospitals in the City such as the Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital, Valenzuela Medical Center, Fatima University Medical Center, Valenzuela Citi-Care, ACE Medical Center, among others. 

In an interview, VCVax Officer-In-Charge, Dr. Ayra Aguirre-Rubillo revealed that there were some 1,700 eligible A1 populations who received their Bivalent third booster dose. 

Almost a month after commencing the third booster dose to health workers, the City will now start to roll out the bivalent 3rd booster dose to senior citizens, requiring that the second booster dose was four (4) to six (6) months ago. 

Dr. Rubillo also announced that other eligible frontline health workers in the private diagnostic centers can walk-in to the designated vaccination site to get their 3rd Bivalent dose booster.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer Bivalent is a combination of the original and the Omicron BA.4-5 COVID-19 Vaccine, administered for further protection against the emerging Omicron variants looming in the city. Pfizer is the initially approved brand for Bivalent vaccines.

In the 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. 

Eligible Pamilyang Valenzuelano seniors and frontline workers who have yet to receive their third booster dose can walk-in at the Gazebo of the Valenzuela City People’s Park, Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Kindly bring a valid government-issued ID, vaccination/booster card, and medical certificate for immunocompromised. With its limited supply,  bivalent vaccines will be given until supplies last.

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