An infectious disease expert has recommended changing the definition of “fully vaccinated” against Covid-19–which is to include a booster shot.

The government is targeting to increase the booster vaccine coverage in the country. Currently, a person can be tagged as fully vaccinated after he or she has received the recommended two doses in the Covid-19 primary vaccination series.

“Siguro, pag gusto natin palawagin pa—ang isang nakikita ko diyan (Maybe, if we want to expand ), I suggest) is we have to change the definition of fully vaccinated that will now include primary vaccine series plus the booster. Kasi may supply naman na tayo ng booster (We have ample supply of booster),” said Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine unit of the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, during a public briefing on Friday, April 1.

Another strategy to increase the booster coverage is to encourage or require on-site employees to get their booster shots before they go back to their offices, said Solante.

Solante emphasized the importance of getting the booster shot.

“At this point in time, maganda ang mga kaso—pababa na pero dapat hindi natin kalimutan na nandito pa rin ang Omicron variant at karagdagang proteksyon, especially sa vulnerable population ang booster, (the case trend is good---it is already decreasing but we must not forget that the Omicron variant is still here. We must also not forget that boosters provide additional protection, especially for the vulnerable population)” he said.

Recently, Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion also suggested redefining the fully vaccinated as those who already got their booster shot.

DOH not yet keen on changing fully vaccinated definition

The Department of Health (DOH) is not keen to redefine the term fully vaccinated as this may create confusion among the public.

“Pag kasi ni-redefine natin at nilagay natin ang booster dose as part of fully vaccinated individual, baka magkaroon uli ng confusion doon sa sinasabing mandatory versus voluntary na pagbabakuna (If we make the booster dose as part of fully vaccinated individuals, there may be confusion again about the so-called mandatory versus voluntary vaccination),” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire during the Malacanang press briefing on Friday.

Instead of redefining it, Vergeire said they are looking at adopting the format being used in the United States of America, wherein their vaccination card indicates the primary vaccination and an “up-to-date” mark.

“Ang sabi po ng ating mga eksperto (Our experts said) it would be better if we go to that direction where we can use another term like ‘up-to-date vaccination’ so that we can encourage more of our citizens para po sila ay magpabakuna (to get vaccinated),” she said.

“Gusto lang po natin na ipatupad kung ano yung mas pina-practice po sa ibang bansa, mas may ebidensya tayo, at sa tingin natin mas makakabuti sa ating mga kababayan (We just want to implement what is being practiced in other countries, where we have more evidence, and we think it would be better for our citizens),” she added.

The DOH is expected to release their decision on the matter in the coming days.

“In the coming days, we will be issuing out an advisory para dito para informed lahat ng ating kababayan (with regards to this to inform all our citizens),” said Vergeire.