Four coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine brands were authorized to be used as additional doses for fully vaccinated people, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.
Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac could be used as "homologous" vaccines---meaning the additional dose should be the same type of vaccine as the one used in the primary vaccination, said FDA Director-General Rolando Enrique Domingo on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
Meanwhile, Sputnik Light was approved as a "heterologous" additional dose of vaccine.
"Ibig sabihin, maari po siyang ibigay na pangatlong dose sa mga pasyenteng nakatanggap ng ibang bakuna (It means, this can be given as a third dose to patients who have received other brands of vaccines)," said Domingo.
The administration of an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine is only recommended for those who are at high risk of getting the viral illness.
The FDA recommendation includes healthcare professionals and vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and individuals "who are diagnosed with immunocompromised conditions," said Domingo.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday night announced that healthcare workers who already completed their two-dose of COVID-19 vaccine may already get an additional dose or booster shot.
“All fully-vaccinated healthcare workers may avail of booster doses starting 17 November 2021,” the DOH said.
The DOH also said that it will release the guidelines for the administration of additional doses or booster shots soon.
Domingo urged the public to get vaccinated immediately as these are proven safe and effective.
“The benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. Vaccines are an effective and critical tool to control the pandemic," he said.