The government will start administering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to all fully vaccinated adult individuals on Friday, Dec. 3, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Thursday.
"All fully vaccinated adults are eligible to receive COVID-19 booster shots starting tomorrow, Dec. 3," the DOH said in an advisory.
Under the guidelines, homologous doses or the same brand will be available for those who received Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna as their primary series.
Meanwhile, vaccine brands such as Sputnik V and Janssen are not yet available for homologous shots.
The vaccines made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna can serve as booster shots for those who received Sinovac, Sputnik V, and Janssen as their primary series.
Pfizer and Moderna can be administered as booster shots for those who received AstraZeneca. For those who received Pfizer as their primary series, they can get AstraZeneca or Moderna as their booster shots. Also, those who received Moderna can either get AstraZeneca or Pfizer as their booster doses.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire noted that individuals 18 years old and above can avail the booster shots “six months after second dose for all vaccines except for Janssen” which is three months after receiving the single-shot vaccine.
In a television interview, Vergeire reminded the local government units to still prioritize the vaccination of healthcare workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals.
“The amended emergency use authorization says it can be given to 18 years old and above although there is a specific guidance from the Food and Drug Administration---and it is also included in our guidelines---that the priority should still be there,” she said.
“For boosters, we still prioritize healthcare workers, seniors, and immunocompromised. After these groups have been vaccinated, that’s when we vaccinate 18 years old and above,” she added.