Health expert: Wear mask, get bivalent shot amid new variant

Infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante on Thursday urged the public to get vaccinated with a bivalent shot amid the emergence of the EG.5 coronavirus strain.

According to Jonathan Andal’s report on “24 Oras,” Solante said that the bivalent vaccine contains higher protection as it targets the original Wuhan strain in 2020 and the omicron strains.

However, he does not see that this will cause a new wave of COVID-19 cases or more serious disease. Still, extra precautions are needed, especially for senior citizens, those with illnesses and immunocompromised.

“I highly advise na wag na kayo magtanggal muna ng face mask niyo especially if you are in public,” Solante said.

The Department of Health said the bivalent vaccine can be used as a first, second or third booster for health workers, senior citizens, and those with comorbidity or immunocompromised.

The EG.5 coronavirus strain has been classified as a ‘variant of interest’ by the World Health Organization as the cases rise globally.

This is related to an Omicron subvariant called XBB.1.9.2, which has been detected in the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, Canada, and the Philippines with twelve cases.

“The risk remains of a more dangerous variant emerging that could cause a sudden increase in cases and deaths. The virus continues to circulate in all countries, it continues to kill, and it continues to change,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General World Health Organization.

According to experts, the new variant is highly contagious. It is the reason for the increase in COVID-19 cases in America.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News