FDA’s decision on third dose, booster shot out in 1 to 2 weeks – chief

FILE PHOTO: Health workers encode information and prepare vaccines against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a mobile vaccination site in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, May 21, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday said the country’s panel of experts will complete its evaluation of emergency use applications for a third dose and booster shot within one to two weeks.

According to FDA Director-General Eric Domingo, the panel was also looking into “all possible combinations” of vaccines to determine whether a brand that is different from a recipient’s first two doses can be administered as a third dose and booster shot.

“Lahat po ng possible combinations, whether the same vaccine or a different po na third vaccine ang ibibigay,” he said during the Laging Handa briefing.

“Minamadali naman po, at itong pagsusuri ay matatapos po siguro within one to two weeks kaya po maaari naman po talagang maumpisahan natin ngayong buwan na ito ang pagbigay ng extra dose,” he added.

The “extra dose,” according to Domingo, will be given to “very selected” groups, including healthcare workers, immunocompromised individuals, and those at risk of contracting severe COVID-19.

So far, COVID-19 vaccine makers Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Sputnik V have applied for “product variation” or amendments to their emergency use authorizations or EUAs in the country in order to include a third dose and booster shot.

READ: FDA: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Sputnik apply for EUA for booster shot

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. had said that the national government plans to start administering third doses and booster shots on November 15.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier explained the difference between a third dose and a booster shot against COVID-19.

Citing the World Health Organization, the DOH said booster shots are provided due to waning immunity several months after the primary course of vaccination while third doses are given to people with comorbidity and senior citizens who may have not developed sufficient immunity against the disease.

KGA