The national government is studying the viability of administering a fourth Covid-19 vaccine dose to select individuals to ensure their continued protection against the emerging variants of the coronavirus.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday, April 11, that the Department of Health (DOH) has already submitted a proposal that would allow the use of a fourth dose to senior citizens and selected frontliners.

Aside from this, he said the DOH has also submitted all the necessary requirements that would amend the current emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines so they can be used as booster shots for children aged 12 to 17.

“Nag-submit na ang DOH ng EUA amendment para magkaroon na rin ng booster ang 12 to 17 years old, at fourth booster naman para sa seniors at selected frontliners para madagdagan ang ating proteksyon laban sa COVID-19 (The DOH submitted an EUA amendment to allow booster shots for 12 to 17 year olds, and a fourth booster to seniors and selected frontliners to augment their protection against COVID-19,” he said.

“Hinihiling po namin sa inyo na kapag nag-open na ang ating fourth dose, at nag-open na rin ang boosters sa 12-17 years old, magpabakuna tayo. Hangga’t maaga, magpabakuna na (We appeal to you that once the administration of fourth dose and booster for 12 to 17 year olds have been opened, avail them. As early as now, get vaccinated),” he added.

Last Saturday, Galvez spearheaded the “Resbakuna Kids and Tourists” in Baguio City to encourage more children aged five to 11, as well as tourists in the city, to get vaccinated.

As of April 8, the country has administered a total of 143,966,310 doses of COVID-19 vaccines nationwide.

Of this number, 66,609,892 Filipinos have been fully vaccinated while 12,443,226 individuals have received their booster shots or additional doses.