Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines Sputnik Light and Sinopharm are now allowed to be used as booster shots, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Friday, Jan. 28.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that these two vaccine brands were recently given an emergency use authority as booster doses by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Maaari ng iturok ang Sputnik Light bilang booster shot matapos ang primary series doses (Sputnik Light can now be administered as a booster shot after the primary series doses),” said Vergeire during the Malacanang press briefing.
The Russian-made vaccine can be used as a booster shot for those who received AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, and Sinovac as their primary vaccination series. However, Sputnik Light as a homologous shot is not yet for implementation.
Adults fully vaccinated with China's Sinopharm can now also get boosted, said Vergeire.
“Individuals who received Sinopharm as their primary vaccination are now eligible recipients of booster shot,” she said.
Those who were vaccinated with the said China-made vaccine can receive Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer for their booster shot.
Vergeire, meanwhile, noted that Sputnik Light and Sinopharm cannot be administered to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
“Nais po nating bigyan diin na hindi po pwedeng i-booster sa mga buntis at nagpapasusong ina ang Sinopharm at Gamaleya Sputnik (We want to emphasize that Sinopharm and Gamaleya Sputnik cannot be used as booster shots for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers),” she said.
The DOH spokesperson once again encouraged all eligible Filipinos to get vaccinated.
“Lahat ng bakunang ginagamit sa bansa ay sumailalim sa masusing pag-aaral. Lahat ito ay nabigyan ng emergency use authority at aprubado ng FDA. Makakaasa kayo na ang mga bakunang ito ay ligtas at epektibo laban sa COVID-19 (All vaccines being used in the country have undergone a thorough study. All of these have been granted emergency use authority and were approved by the FDA. These vaccines are safe and effective against COVID-19),” said Vergeire.