With the release of Advisory No. 35 by the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center for the Philippine COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment and Vaccination Campaign, the “Guidance on the Use of AstraZeneca Vaccines from the COVAX Facility and the Resumption of the Administration of AstraZeneca Vaccines to Individuals below 60 Years Old”.The advisory, issued on 6 May 2021, directed all Regional/Local Vaccination Operations Centers (R/LVOCS) on the use of AstraZeneca and the resumption of the administration of the vaccine to individuals below 60 years old.
The Department of Health has officially announced the resumption of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines for all eligible population following the recommendation of the Philippine Food and Drug Administration, as stated: a) Administer the remaining AstraZeneca vaccines (previously delivered last March 2021) as second doses to eligible population given with first dose of AstraZeneca vaccines before the expiry date (31 May 2021). All RVOCs are requested to monitor implementation of remaining AstraZeneca vaccines, b) Conduct reverse logistics of all AstraZeneca vaccine vials on or before 14 May 2021. Kindly ensure that appropriate reports are submitted accordingly.
Further, the FDA recommends administration of second doses for AstraZeneca vaccines to eligible population shall be at the 12th week after the administration of the first dose. However, to ensure that all AstraZeneca vaccines are administered prior to expiration, remaining doses may be given on the 8th-12th week after the first dose as previously recommended from the NVOC Advisory No.18.
In compliance to this Advisory, Region 1 received the 6th batch of AstraZeneca vaccines delivered on 10 May 2021. 86,400 AstraZeneca vaccine doses arrived at the regional vaccine storage facility for temporary storage and immediate distribution to the COVID-19 vaccine implementing health units in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. As of 12 May 2021, 82.91 % of the recently delivered vaccines have already been dispatched to the various implementing units, for administration to the eligible population groups as programmed.
“Nakatanggap tayo dito sa Region ng advisory na pinapayagan na ulit ang pagtuturok ng AstraZeneca para sa mga taong 59 years old pababa. At sana with this arrival, mameet na natin ang ating target for our Priority Group A1 so we can now proceed to A2 and A3 population,” DOH CHD-1 Medical Officer IV Rheuel C. Bobis.
Dr. Bobis further added that AstraZeneca has undergone another study by the National Immunization Technical Working Group and the FDA. Based from the study, it has been proven again that although there are reports of adverse reactions, the benefits outweigh the risks of getting the vaccine. AstraZeneca has acquired the Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA proving the it is safe and effective.
Along with the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, DOH CHD-1 continues to advocate the BIDA Solusyon Plus: Bawal walang mask at face shield; Isanitize ang mga kamay at iwasan ang mga kulob na lugar; Dumistansya ng isang metro at limitahan ang pisikal na interaksyon sa iba; Alamin ang tamang impormasyon at Suportahan ang FDA approved na mga bakuna.
