FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker prepares a Pfizer coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 7, 2021. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo/File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) may come up with a decision on the administration of COVID-19 booster doses next week, its chair said Friday.
“By next week baka meron na tayong maging desisyon dyan. Tuloy-tuloy naman ang aming pag-uusap pero marami kasing kinoconsider, ‘yung breakthrough infections sa healthcare workers,” Dr. Nina Gloriani said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.
(By next week, we may release a decision on this. We are continuously discussing this but we are considering a lot of things, including the breakthrough infections among healthcare workers.)
Gloriani noted that breakthrough infections, or coronavirus infections among those fully vaccinated, happens for all vaccines. To note, experts earlier said that the vaccines do not completely protect against infection but prevent the severe form of the disease.
If booster doses will be given, Gloriani said healthcare workers will still be prioritized.
“Hinahanap natin kung ano ang pinakamagandang solusyon kahit siguro medyo kulang pa ‘yung ating mga bakuna, para sa mas lalong madaling panahon ay mabigyan natin kung talagang kailangan, especially our health workers,” she said.
(We are looking for the best solution even though we still have limited supply so that we can give the booster shots if needed, especially for health workers.)
The Department of Health earlier said local experts do not recommend booster shots for now due to limited study on its efficacy and limited vaccine supply.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government is in talks with four vaccine manufacturers to possibly secure booster shots that may be supplied as early as the first quarter of 2022.
A budget of P45 billion is being proposed for the purchase of booster shots next year.