Several cities in Metro Manila suspended administration of second dose Sinovac vaccines as they run out of supplies from the national government, authorities said Tuesday.
Muntinlupa suspended inoculating residents with second dose of the Chinese-made vaccine starting Monday, July 12 due to vaccine shortage. It said it would prioritize those whose schedules were moved to a later date once supplies have been replenished.
Valenzuela City also delayed giving second dose of Sinovac to its constituents until Sunday, July 18.
The City of Las Piñas on Tuesday, July 13 said it would suspend the Sinovac vaccination for second dose until the next arrival of vaccine supply.
Taguig also said it would move the schedule for citizens who will receive their second dose of Sinovac to a later date starting Tuesday, July 13.
In Malabon, six vaccination sites will stop giving second dose of vaccines starting Tuesday, July 13. It also said it would stop accepting walk-ins in all vaccinations sites.
Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan also said the city would hold off giving second doses of Sinovac starting Wednesday, July 14 as it awaited more jabs.
Second dose of the vaccines can still be given up to six months since the first dose was given if vaccine delivery is affected, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said in its advisory released on July 4.
Those who exceed the maximum allowable delay of six months do not need to repeat the vaccination process, it said.
The country is expecting the arrival of one million Sinovac doses on Wednesday and 1.5 million Sinovac doses on Saturday, the NTF Against COVID-19 said.
