The Philippine Army (PA) has started administering booster shots to its personnel and dependents as part of its ramped up vaccination drive against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a military official said Friday night, Jan. 7.
Col. Jonna Dalaguit, commanding general of the Army General Hospital (AGH), said a total of 2,662 booster shots were already given to Army personnel and their dependents as of Jan. 6.
It includes 440 booster jabs that were given to healthcare workers in various Army medical treatment facilities.
She said the AGH aims to administer booster shots to all Army soldiers and their dependents, particularly the senior citizens.
"In view of the COVID resurgence and the waning immunity afforded by earlier doses, these booster shots will provide an additional layer of protection to our healthcare workers, soldiers, and their dependents," Dalaguit said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Army Commanding General, directed the troops to “strictly comply with health protocols to curb the spread of coronavirus in Army camps and offices.”
To manage the exponential increase in COVID-19 cases, the Office of the Army Chief Surgeon also ordered all Army soldiers to continue with the vaccination efforts, and prepare medical facilities and healthcare personnel.
As of Jan. 7, the Army Operations Center listed 140 active COVID cases in the Army which include 30 officers and 110 enlisted personnel.
There were also 8,001 personnel who recovered from the disease and seven others who died since the onset of the pandemic in 2019.