Individuals aged 50 to 59 as well as people 18 to 49 years of age with comorbidities can now get a second booster shot to further protect them against Covid-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
“This follows the expansion of the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of certain Covid-19 vaccine brands to allow their use as second boosters in the expanded population groups,” the DOH said in a statement on Tuesday night, July 26.
"Only the Tozinameran (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) mRNA vaccines will be used for this purpose, and there must be an interval of at least four months from the third dose / first booster," it added.
Previous protocol only allowed senior citizens, health workers, and immunocompromised adults to receive the second booster shot.
The DOH advised all eligible individuals to check with their respective local government units about the schedule of vaccination. They should also ready their vaccination card and a valid identification card, it added.
"A medical certificate is not required, even for those with comorbidities. The medical screener or doctor at the vaccination site is authorized to assess and make the determination," the DOH noted.
This move is also in line with the launch of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign called "PinasLakas"--- aimed at increasing the vaccination uptake, especially on the booster shots, the DOH said.
As part of PinasLakas, schools, malls, plazas, and places of worship are to be "turned into vaccination sites where people can avail of the life-saving vaccines." House-to-house vaccination initiatives will also be ramped up, the DOH said.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire reiterated that "vaccines are safe and effective and remain to be our best-defense in this pandemic."
"As vaccine immunity wanes over time, we are dedicated to helping our people remain protected against Covid-19. We are making it easier for as many of our people to avail of the primary series and boosters - including second boosters," she said.
"The DOH, along with other government agencies and private sector partners, aims to increase vaccine coverage nationwide. We need every eligible Juan and Juana to turn this into a whole-of-society fight against the virus," she added.