The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday reminded the local government units (LGUs) to strictly follow the guidelines set for the administration of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, particularly the interval in getting booster dose.
“Yung emergency use authority at saka yung guidelines na nilabas ng Department of Health---very clear na nakalagay diyan na iyan po ang kauna-unang kondisyon na kailangan po natin sundin para makapag booster tayo---na dapat you (The emergency use authority and then the guidelines issued by the Department of Health --- it is very clear that that is the first condition that we need to follow in order for us to give a booster --- that you should) have this six months gap on your second dose already,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press briefing.
Based on the guidelines, those who received Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Sputnik V as their primary series---they need to wait for six months after their second dose before they can get the booster jab. Meanwhile, for those who got the single-shot Janssen vaccine, they need to wait at least three months before they can get a booster shot.
Vergeire said it is important to follow the guidelines to avoid untoward incidents.
“Maaring magkaroon ng ibang reaksyon sa katawan ng ating mga kababayan na ibinibIgay natin (Our citizens might experience other reactions when we give a booster) outside the instructions or guidelines given through the emergency use authority of the Food and Drug Administration,” she said.
The DOH announced on Thursday, Dec. 2, that all fully vaccinated adult individuals are now eligible to get a booster shot starting Dec. 3.