The emergency use authorization (EUA) of Covid-19 vaccines should be amended first if the government will approve the administration of a fourth vaccine dose, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
The country’s health experts are currently studying data as there is a recommendation to provide a fourth dose or second booster shot to immunocompromised individuals and senior citizens, said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
“Ang pinakaimportante po kasi ay ma-amend muna ang (The most important thing is to amend the) emergency use authority for this fourth doses,” said Vergeire during the Malacanang briefing on Wednesday, March 16.
“Pagkatapos pong makapag-usap with the all experts group, mag-a-apply po ang DOH (After the discussions with the all experts group, the DOH will apply) for an amended EUA so that we can be able to do this fourth doses,” she added.
The Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) expressed its support for the administration of a fourth vaccine dose to specific sectors of society.
“The small added protection provided by a fourth dose or a second booster dose may be useful for special populations such as the moderately and severely immunocompromised,” said PCCP President Dr. Imelda Mateo during a briefing hosted by the DOH.
Mateo said that the fourth dose “may also be given to individuals most vulnerable to the severe form of Covid-19 such as the elderly.”