(FILE PHOTO) Health Usec. Myrna Cabotaje. Screengrab from RTVM
Vaccine experts are studying the possibility of providing a COVID-19 booster shot for immunocompromised individuals, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said. Considered as immunocompromised persons are those afflicted with the human immunodeficiency virus, cancer or malignancy; transplant recipients; and patients under immunosuppressives. “The primary dose series for immunocompromised consists of three doses—the regular two-dose series, the third dose being an additional dose, and not a booster,” said Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje in an online forum. “A booster, therefore, is being studied, which will be a fourth dose,” she said. Cabotaje also said that the DOH is not yet considering the administration of a second COVID-19 booster shot for other sectors. —Tina G. Santos