The rest of the 12 to 17 age group can get their first booster shot of Covid-19 vaccine starting on Thursday, June 30, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said.
"Yes, pwede na basta ready na yung facility (as long as the facility is ready)," said Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje on Wednesday, June 29, in a text message.
Based on the DOH guidelines, these children should receive their first booster dose five months after the completion of their primary vaccination series.
“The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine booster dose to non-immunocompromised pediatric A3 and the rest of pediatric population ages 12 to 17 years old shall be given at least five months after the administration of the second dose of the primary dose series,” it stated.
“Vaccination of the non-immunocompromised pediatric A3 and rest of pediatric population shall be implemented simultaneously with the current eligible priority groups,” it added.
The local government units were instructed to “reactivate fixed vaccination sites and establish temporary posts in catchment areas/barangays to ensure administration of booster doses to eligible vaccine recipients.”
Vaccine recipients should bring their vaccination cards with complete details of their primary vaccination series.
Also, valid identification cards or documents with a photo of the parent/ guardian and the vaccine recipient as well as “documents to prove filiation” should be presented in the vaccination site.
“While the implementation of the administration of Covid-19 vaccine booster doses shall be rolled out simultaneously nationwide, all local government units/ local vaccination operations centers are directed to ensure ramping up of the administration of due booster doses to the eligible adult population ages 18 years old and above, as well,” the DOH said.
To note, the government first launched the booster vaccination of the immunocompromised from the same age group last Wednesday, June 22.