Panama Receives 54 000 Doses of Bivalent Pediatric Vaccines

The Panamanian Ministry of Health confirmed on Tuesday the arrival in the country of the first batch of 54 000 doses of bivalent pediatric vaccines against COVID-19.

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The batch "is aimed at children from 5 to 11 years old," the Ministry said on its official Twitter account, noting that this "will reinforce the vaccination program developed by the National Government."

According to the general coordinator of Minsa's Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI), Itzel de Hewitt, this vaccine "is licensed for use in persons aged 5 to 11 years, as a single booster dose administered at least 2 months after completing a primary vaccination schedule with any COVID-19 monovalent vaccine and receiving one of the most recent booster doses of any licensed monovalent vaccine." 

The distribution of the bivalent pediatric vaccine will begin on Wednesday in the 15 health regions throughout the country. Priority will be given to areas of difficult access.

This Tuesday, the first batch of 54 000 doses of bivalent pediatric vaccines arrived in the country, which are aimed at children aged 5 to 11 years, which will reinforce the vaccination program developed by the National Government, through Operation PanavaC19.

As for the bivalent vaccine for infants aged 6 months to 4 years old, the general coordinator said it will arrive soon. This vaccine covers the original Wuhan strain, the Delta and the Omicron B.A 4 and B.A 5 mutations currently circulating in the national territory and also worldwide. 

The same vaccination strategy coordinated with the Operation Panavac-19 team will continue, said de Hewitt. In addition to the regular health centers, the vaccination campaign will continue to reach the main Panama Metro stations and shopping malls throughout the country, the official added. 

Last Saturday, vaccination with the bivalent vaccine against COVID-19 began in the country, for people over 12 years old who have received at least two monovalent vaccines, according to the Ministry of Health.