Local government units (LGUs) may now start the rollout of the second Covid-19 booster shot for the general population, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, April 18. The guidelines for the use of a second Covid-19 booster for the general population has already been signed, said DOH Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire. “We already signed the guidelines. At ito po ay ipapakalap na sa ating (This will be disseminated to our) local government units,” said Vergeire in a press briefing. Under the guidelines, individuals aged 18 years old and above may now receive their second booster shot against Covid-19, said Vergeire. Covid-19 vaccines made by Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca will be used as a second booster, she added. “Pwede din ibigay sa mga buntis (It can also be given to pregnant)  and lactating women of 18 years old and above. Maari din ibigay sa (It can also be given to) immunocompromised populations 18 years old and above regardless of their priority group classification,” said Vergeire. The DOH noted that the second booster shot may be given six months after the first booster shot. Vergeire encouraged local government units to “integrate” Covid-19 vaccination in their respective health services. “We encourage all local governments na maintegrate na po natin ang Covid-19 vaccination dito sa ating pang araw-araw na mga health programs at mga services sa ating mga primary care facilities para hindi na po natin kailangan magbuo pa ng mga mass vaccination sites at mas maging accessible po ang mga bakuna hanggang sa ating mga komunidad (to integrate the Covid-19 vaccination in their regular health programs and services in our primary care facilities so that we no longer need to have mass vaccination sites and in order to make vaccines more accessible to our communities),” she said.