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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH not yet considering administration of 2nd COVID-19 vaccine booster shot

DOH not yet considering administration of 2nd COVID-19 vaccine booster shot

Published Feb 24, 2022 03:03 pm

(AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

The Department of Health (DOH) said it has no plans for now of giving a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.

DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said that such measure is still being studied by the country’s vaccine experts.

“Booster is still the first booster in terms of our current policy. But maybe in the future...we have to wait for the studies and recommendations,” said Cabotaje in a forum hosted by Go Negosyo on Thursday, Feb. 24.

“In terms of the horizon in booster, we have not discussed the second booster yet, although the experts are studying that,” she added.

But among all sectors, they are looking to see if a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine is needed for immunocompromised individuals, such as people living with HIV, those with cancer, among others.

“A booster therefore is being studied which will be a 4th shot,” she said in a text message.

“Wala pang official issuance, pinag-uusapan pa lang po (There is no official issuance yet, we are still discussing that),” she added.

As of Feb. 23, a total of 9,948,840 adult Filipinos were able to receive the booster shot, said Cabotaje.

Get boosted

The DOH said that COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are necessary, particularly for senior citizens, in order to increase the level of protection against the viral disease.

Based on the DOH data, there were 6,417,371 fully vaccinated senior citizens in the country but only 1,796,443 have taken their booster shots.

“COVID-19 remains a big threat for the unvaccinated, particularly senior citizens. With eight out of 10 patients admitted in hospitals unvaccinated, we encourage complete vaccination of our senior citizens and those with comorbidities. With the waning immunity provided by the primary series of vaccines, it is important to have booster shots,” it said.

“We continue to remind the public of the waning efficiency of the primary series of vaccines, thus, the importance of having booster shots to restore vaccine effectiveness,” it added.

The DOH said it is partnering with the different local government units “to conduct house-to-house vaccinations” which is “part of the steps in bringing accessibility nearer and more convenient for our elderly groups.”

Related Tags

booster shots Department of Health (DOH) 2nd booster shot
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