The Department of Health (DOH) reminded local government units (LGUs) to “stick” to the guidelines for the administration of the second booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine.
“Sana maging mapanuri ang mga local governments sa pagbibigay ng second booster (I hope the local governments will be prudent in giving the second booster),” said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
“Let us stick to the guidelines because the guidelines are based on science and evidence,” said Vergeire.
There remains no evidence on the substantial benefits of a second booster shot if given to the general population, said Vergeire.
The unauthorized administration of the second booster shot can also prevent the general population from receiving the bivalent vaccines once these become available in the country, said Vergeire.
“Kapag dumating yung bivalent vaccine at nabigyan niyo ng second booster ang inyong kababayan–ngayong time na ito—baka hindi pa rin sila maging eligible as soon for this bivalent kasi may number of months tayong bibilangin bago sila mabigyan (Once the bivalent vaccines arrive here and you gave second booster shot to your constituents at this point in time, they may not be eligible to receive the bivalent vaccine immediately because you need to consider a required number of months for the intervals),” she said.
Based on the current guidelines, people aged 50 and above as well individuals with comorbidities aged 18 to 49 are eligible to receive a second booster dose.
As of Nov. 20, almost 73.7 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated. About 20.9 million individuals have received their first booster shot and around 3.5 million people have received their second booster dose.