The Department of Health (DOH) said it is considering including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the government's second Covid-19 vaccine booster shot program.
DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said that they will discuss this with the members of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) as some countries are requiring travelers to have a second booster shot.
"For our OFWs, kasi nagri-require ng second booster iyong ibang bansa (because other countries require a second booster)," said Cabotaje on Saturday, April 30.
"We will appeal to the Health Technology Assessment and justify kung bakit itong mga OFWs ay puwede nang bigyan ng ating second booster (why OFWs should now be given a second booster)," she said.
At present, only immunocompromised individuals are allowed to receive a second booster shot. The HTAC is still reviewing evidence for the provision of a second booster dose for other vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens and healthcare workers, said Cabotaje.
“Kapag mayroon na silang sufficient data to back-up their recommendations tsaka sila magbibigay ng kaukulang rekomendasyon (Once they have sufficient data to back-up their recommendations, they will provide the corresponding recommendations) for the other groups,” said Cabotaje.
The government started its second booster shot program for immunocompromised adults last Monday, April 25. Currently, 6,702 immunocompromised individuals have received their second booster doses.