DOH bares list of immunocompromised conditions for COVID-19 3rd vax dose

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday released the list of immunocompromised conditions that will be given priority in getting COVID-19 vaccine third doses.

According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the list of immunocompromised conditions was adopted from the recommendation of the World Health Organization’s Strategic Group of Experts on Immunization (WHO’s SAGE).

“Very specific tayong naglagay ng ganyan sa ating mga guidelines dahil ito ay adopted natin sa recommendations ng WHO SAGE. Ito ay nakapaloob din sa ating EUA (emergency use authorization). Ang mga may immunocompromised states na una nating ikoconsidera para mabigyan ng third doses will be [these conditions],” Vergeire said in an online press briefing.

(We listed very specific immunocompromised conditions in our guidelines which were adopted from the recommendations of the WHO SAGE. This is also included in the EUA. People with immunocompromised states who will be the first to be considered for third doses are those with these conditions.)

Vergeire said those who will be prioritized in the administration of third doses are the following:

– those who have been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancer of the blood
– received an organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
– received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or taking  immunosuppressive therapy
– have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency states
– have advanced or untreated HIV infection
– receiving active treatments with corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress immune response
– dialysis patients
– people living with autoimmune disease and treatment with specific immunosuppressive medications
– diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromised as advised by their physician
– people with a rare disease

According to Vergeire, individuals with these conditions should secure a medical clearance from their doctors before receiving the third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

She said that the DOH and the All Experts Group will still have to finalize guidelines for providing third doses before announcing when the third shots can be provided for immunocompromised individuals and senior citizens.

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