DOH: Arrival of bivalent vaccines will be delayed

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said the arrival of bivalent vaccines in the country would be delayed due to the lifting of the state of calamity for COVID-19.

'Yung bivalent vaccines medyo nagkakaroon lang tayo ng kaunting delays because katulad ng alam ng ating mga kababayan, yung state of calamity ay nalift na and alongside with this state of calamity may mga kundisyon na kasama yan," DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

[Translation: There are some delays in the arrival of the bivalent vaccines because, as we all know, the state of calamity has been lifted and alongside with this state of calamity are some conditions.]

The DOH said among the conditions which have to be addressed are immunity from liability and indemnification clauses required by manufacturers and international agreements

"Sa ngayon ito ang hinihingan natin ng guidance from the Office of the President if we can enter into this agreement with this immunity from liability and indemnification clauses na nakapasok diyan para mag go ahead ng mga transaksyon at pakikipag-usap," Vergeire explained.

[Translation: For now the guidance we're asking from the Office of the President, is if we can enter into this agreement with this immunity from liability and indemnification clauses so we can proceed with the transactions and discussions.]

Once the vaccines arrive, Vergeire said these would be integrated into the country's overall vaccination program, but prioritizing the most vulnerable sector.

In January, Vergeire said the donated vaccines from the COVAX facility would arrive in the country by the end of March. In addition to these doses, she added there were countries which said they would be donating vaccines too.

No new date was given on the expected arrival of the bivalent vaccines.

The state of calamity expired on Dec. 31, days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was "very, very hesitant" to its extension.