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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COVID-19 booster shots may be available by November or December --- DOH

COVID-19 booster shots may be available by November or December --- DOH

Published Oct 25, 2021 01:37 pm

The country is eyeing to administer COVID-19 booster shots and additional doses to health workers and priority groups by November or December, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday, Oct 25.

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)


"Ito pong gagawin nating third doses and booster shots, it’s going to be this baka last quarter po... Ito pong parating na Nobyembre at Disyembre magawa natin kung lalabas po 'yung emergency use authority na manggagaling sa Food and Drug Administration (We will do this third doses and booster shots, it's going to be this maybe last quarter ... This coming November and December we can do if the emergency use authority from the FDA comes out)," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an interview with DZMM TeleRadyo.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque had earlier approved the recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) to give COVID-19 booster shots to healthcare workers and eligible priority groups.

Vergeire, meanwhile, said the DOH was still waiting for the FDA to amend the emergency use approval of existing COVID-19 vaccines to allow a booster dose or additional shot.

"Kailangan lang po talaga nating antayin 'yung emergency authority kasi kailangan natin ma-ammend 'yung EUA na meron ngayon na mga bakuna dahil hindi pa nakasaad diyan yung mga third doses o booster doses. Pinagpaplanuhan na po 'yan (We just really need to wait for the emergency authority because we need to amend the EUA of the vaccines because the third doses or booster doses are not yet mentioned there. We are already planning it)," she said.

Immunocompromised individuals were also recommended to get additional shots or a third dose of the same brand at least 28 days after the completion of their initial vaccination.

Over 25 million individuals were already fully vaccinated from the COVID-19 virus in the Philippines as of Oct. 21.
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