The Department of Health (DOH) is currently finding ways to increase the country's booster shot coverage against Covid-19.
DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said some Filipinos think that having the primary vaccination series is already enough to protect themselves against Covid-19. She reiterated that the vaccine effectiveness wanes months after completing the first two doses.
“Hindi naman saktong nawawala, bumababa ang immunity. Kailangan natin ang booster kasi kailangan mapasigla—you add another layer of protection pag ikaw ay nag-booster (It's not exactly disappearing but the immunity is waning. We need the booster because you add another layer of protection when you get boosted),” said Cabotaje in a television interview on Thursday, March 31.
Cabotaje said they are now discussing some strategies to address the low turnout of booster recipients.
“Pinag aaralan na iyan. Kasi ang pag iisip ng WHO (World Health Organization) ay tinagged nila na fully vaccinated pag primary series. We are looking at the possibility of adding a booster dose (That is being studied. The WHO stated that fully vaccinated means completing the primary series. We are looking at the possibility of adding a booster dose),” said Cabotaje.
When asked about putting expiration cards in Covid-19 vaccine cards, the Health official replied: “that's also a good strategy.”
However, Cabotaje still highlighted the strict checking of vaccine cards upon entering the establishments.
“Pero siguro kailangan natin na yung enforcement–yung ating mga nagche-check, kasi basta pinakita mo yung vaccine card, hindi naman tinitignan kung sayo, hindi naman tinitignan kung (But maybe we need enforcement—individuals who are checking the vaccine cards, they do not check if the vaccine card is truly yours or) how late your vaccination was, so we might go into more detailed enforcement,” she said.
At present, some local government units are now conducting a house-to-house vaccination, said Cabotaje.
“Inumpisahan natin sa National Vaccination Days na (We started with the National Vaccination Days that) we bring vaccines closer to the people,” she said.
“Marami sa ating local government units pumupunta na sa mga areas—yung iba nagbahay-bahay (Many of our local government units are already going to the areas—the others are doing house-to-house campaign),” she added.
“Tinitingnan natin yung ibang areas, mga private companies, jails, kung saan pwedeng naguumpukan ang mga tao--dadalhin natin yung bakunahan doon (We're looking at other areas, private companies, jails, or where there are many people—we are going to bring the vaccines there),” she furthered.
Last March 25, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said about 44 million Filipinos are now eligible to receive their booster shots. So far, almost 12 million people have only got their booster shot.