DOH: Private companies not yet allowed to use excess vaccines as booster shot

MANILA, Philippines — Private companies are not yet allowed to use their excess COVID-19 vaccines as booster doses for their employees except for senior citizens and individuals with immunocompromised conditions that are identified by health authorities, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded the public that under its emergency use authorizations (EUA), boosters shots are so far allowed only for healthcare workers, senior citizens, and individuals with certain immunocompromised conditions.

“Now as to the companies which have ordered or procured additional doses, hindi po kayo pinapayagan para ibigay ‘yan as booster doses to your employees not unless they are part of the senior citizens or they are part of this list of immunocompromised states na nakalagay sa EUA. Other than that, hindi pa po natin pwedeng gawin ‘yan,” she told an online media briefing.

(As to the companies that have ordered additional doses, you cannot use them as booster doses to your employees unless they are senior citizens or have immunocompromised status indicated in the EUA. You cannot administer booster doses except for these people.)

Vergeire said private companies with near-expiry COVID-19 vaccines can enter into a loan agreement wherein the government will use their vaccines and substitute it later on.

“I advise private companies na meron pa ring sobra na bakuna sa inyong mga kumpanya, kung sa tingin ninyo ito ay wastage na o mag-eexpire, you can undertake this loaning agreement from the national government kung saan ang national government ay pumapayag na kunin muna ang mga doses na nasa inyo at papalitan namin ‘yan ng fresh stocks kapag kailangan niyo na sa inyong kumpanya,” she said.

(I advise private companies that still have excess vaccines that are nearing its expiry date to undertake a loan agreement wherein the national government will take the vaccines and replace it with fresh stocks once the companies need it.)

In a statement on Thursday, the DOH reminded the public that the administration of COVID-19 booster doses is not yet open for the general population.

It added that “the decision to offer booster doses to healthcare workers is still risk-based and its rollout to other priority groups will be implemented on a phased approach.”

The administration of primary vaccination dose series will also be prioritized over booster shots, according to DOH.