The Philippines has allowed the administration of COVID-19 booster shots for fully vaccinated adult individuals three months after receiving their second dose, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
In an advisory, the DOH said that the new interval for the administration of booster doses was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The shortened interval shall be effective on Dec. 22.
“Following the amended Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccine boosters, the Department of Health would like to inform the public that all adults (ages 18 and above) are now eligible to receive a single-dose booster of COVID-19 vaccine at least three months after the second dose of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinovac, or Sputnik vaccine, or at least two months after Janssen effective 22 December 2021,” the DOH said.
“The Department also reiterates that booster doses are not yet recommended for ages 12 to 17 years old,” it added.
This decision is also part of the strategy to mitigate the effects of the Omicron coronavirus variant, the DOH said.
“We are exploring all possible options to safely mitigate the effects of more transmissible variants of COVID-19. The approval came at an opportune time as several countries also re-strategized in light of the Omicron and other COVID-19 variants that may emerge,” said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Duque, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of prioritizing vaccination among those who are yet to receive their primary series.
“We call on our local government units to encourage their constituents to get vaccinated, especially the unvaccinated senior citizens and people with underlying medical conditions who are more vulnerable to having severe COVID-19," he said.
"Ensuring enough coverage of the primary series while adhering to the minimum public health standards are crucial if we want to maintain low to minimal risk classification and have adequate health systems capacities especially during the holiday season," he added.