The Department of Health (DOH) is finalizing the guidelines on the use of the bivalent vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a Viber message to reporters on Thursday, the agency assured the public to issue the necessary guidelines in time for the implementation of the vaccines’ rollout nationwide.

“Currently, different strategies and allocation mechanism are being studied, taking into consideration acceptability, equity, and operational efficiency in utilizing the vaccine,” the DOH said.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the bivalent Covid-19 vaccines include a component of the original virus strain to provide broad protection against Covid-19 and a component of the omicron variant.

The DOH has secured an initial donation of around 1 million doses of bivalent Covid-19 Pfizer vaccines from the COVAX Facility, the worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.

The donation is expected to arrive in the country before the end of March.

The A1 (health care workers), A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (individuals with comorbidities) will be prioritized in line with the conditions set by the COVAX Facility for the first batch of donated jabs.

“Once additional doses are secured and available, prioritization may be expanded to other priority groups,” the DOH said. (PNA)