The Department of Health (DOH) said it is currently crafting the guidelines for the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine booster shots for non-immunocompromised children aged 12 to 17.
“The implementing guidelines for the boosters for the rest of the general adolescent population ages 12 to 17 years old may be out within this week,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday, June 28.
“Everything is in order already now... In the coming days, we are going to implement it already,” she added.
To note, the start of giving first booster shots for the general population of adolescents was delayed due to a certain condition set by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).
Recently, DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said that the HTAC recommended that at least 40 percent of senior citizens of an area should have their booster shot first before giving booster shots on non-immunocompromised adolescents.
“The 40 percent coverage for senior citizens has been retracted already by the HTAC after some meetings,” said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III in a separate media forum on Tuesday.
“Once the guidelines are finalized, we will be ready for the rollout. Within the week, we can see the booster doses being utilized for the rest of the 12 to 17 age group,” he added.
To note, the government first launched the booster vaccination of the immunocompromised from the same age group last Wednesday, June 22.