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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH vaccine experts to decide use of COVID-19 booster shot 'next week'

PH vaccine experts to decide use of COVID-19 booster shot 'next week'

Published Sep 3, 2021 02:03 pm

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) flock at the Matina Town Square in Davao City during the vaccination rollout for OFWs. (Keith Bacongco / MANILA BULLETIN)

The country’s vaccine expert panel (VEP) is set to decide next week whether to recommend giving booster shots or a third shot of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine.

“By next week, baka meron na tayong maging decision diyan (we may already have a decision about that),” VEP chair Dr. Nina Gloriani said in an interview over TeleRadyo on Friday, Sept. 3.

“Tuloy-tuloy naman 'yung aming pag-uusap pero marami kasing kinoconsider, 'yung breakthrough infections sa healthcare workers (Our discussion is ongoing but there are many factors that need to be considered such as breakthrough infections among healthcare workers),” she added.

Gloriani said the VEP is looking for the “best solution” to ensure the safety of people against the virus amid the limited supply of the vaccines.

“Hinahanap natin yung pinaka-magandang solution kahit medyo kulang pa yung ating mga bakuna para sa lalong madaling panahon ay mabigyan natin kung talagang kailangan (We are looking for the best solution even though our vaccines are still a bit limited so that we can give them as soon as possible if we really need them), especially our healthcare workers,” she said.

In case that the provision of booster shots will be approved, the vaccine expert said that healthcare workers or those belonging under the A1 category will be prioritized.

“Ang most vulnerable talaga ‘yan. Kung sino yung pinaka-mataas ang (They are really the most vulnerable. They have the highest) risk for exposure,” Gloriani said.

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