Senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals may choose COVID-19 vax brand for 3rd dose---DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) said fully vaccinated senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals can choose the brand of COVID-19 vaccines for their third shot----- once the program is open for their respective sectors.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that they are still in the process of completing the guidelines.
“Now the major difference, ito pong sa ating senior citizens at saka sa immunocompromised, tinitingnan natin kasi it is medically indicated and kailangan po pag immunocompromised, it’s going to be called a third dose (for senior citizens and immunocompromised, we will check if their conditions are medically indicated. And, if a person is immunocompromised, it’s going to be called a third dose),” said Vergeire.
“Although pareho po natin ibibigay iyong choice ng homologous or heterologous para sa kanila (we will give them the option---either a homologous or heterologous shot),” she added.
The DOH said that homologous dose refers to the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine of “the same brand from the vaccine that was used to complete” the first two-doses.
On the other hand, heterologous dose refers to the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine “of a different brand from the vaccine that was used to complete the primary vaccine series.”
“So we will be issuing these guidelines in the coming days for the information of the public,” said Vergeire.
The government started its booster vaccination program last Nov. 17 among healthcare workers. Fully vaccinated healthcare workers are allowed to choose their preferred vaccine brand if they decided to get a booster shot.