The government is considering to start in April the administration of a fourth Covid-19 vaccine shot in selected individuals once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the said measure.
The Department of Health (DOH) has already submitted its application to the FDA for the amendment of the emergency use authorization (EUA) of Covid-19 vaccines to include a fourth shot for people considered as "vulnerable" to the disease, said Health Undersecretary and National Vaccination Operations Center Chief Myrna Cabotaje.
“Uumpisahan na ito pag naapprove ang EUA at guidelines. So, tinatantya natin last week of April baka pwede nating simulan ito (This will start once the EUA and guidelines are approved. So, maybe we can start this last week of April),” said Cabotaje on Saturday, March 26, during a public briefing.
The DOH is currently crafting the guidelines for this measure, said Cabotaje.
“Inihahanda na ang mga guidelines. Patuloy na nakikipagtalastaan tayo sa eksperto...Inirerekomenda sa high risk or vulnerable groups—yung A1: (The set of guidelines is now being prepared. We continue to discuss with our experts...This is recommended for high risk or vulnerable groups such as the A1:) health workers/ frontliner services, seniors, and immunocompromised individuals,” said Cabotaje.
As of March 24, there were 65 million Filipinos fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Meanwhile, around 12 million people have already received their booster or third shot of the vaccine.