Health experts yet to reach a final consensus on 4th COVID vaccine dose

PROTECTION Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (second from right) administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Delailah Apante, a nurse supervisor at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, as part of the government’s ceremonial rollout of booster shots for health workers, seniors and those with health conditions. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Health experts have yet to reach a final consensus on the fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose for senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said Tuesday.

The Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) recently recommended a fourth COVID-19 shot for the elderly and immunocompromised.

“The recommendation has been endorsed and the other experts are also looking at a consensus,” Cabotaje said in a virtual press conference.

“Kailan magsisimula ‘yan [When will it start]? They are still looking at the benefits outweighing the risks, sino ba ang bibigyan at ano ang dose [who the recipients would be and the dosage]. Maybe in a couple of weeks, we’ll have the final consensus among our experts,” she shared.

National Task Force Against COVID-19 adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa earlier explained that the VEP recommendation was submitted to the Department of Health’s Technical Advisory Group and the All Experts Group.

The implementation will then be upon the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

In November last year, the government started the rollout of third doses and booster shots for health workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities.

It was then made available for the general population in December.

To date, minors aged 18 below are not eligible for a third COVID-19 dose.

JPV