Vaccination. File photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday announced that elderly and health frontliners may now avail their second booster shot against COVID-19.
This came following the recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) and after the Food and Drug Administration earlier granted emergency use authorization (EUA) on the administration of the second COVID-19 vaccine booster to senior citizens and frontline healthcare workers aged 18 and above.
“The second booster for our health workers and senior citizens will enhance protection given by the first booster and the primary series against all variants, including the recent Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1. Against whatever variant there is out there, the second booster supports the 4-Door strategy,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire in a statement.
“Everyone eligible can get the second booster jab done at the LGU vaccination sites nearest you. They are safe, effective, and free of charge,” she added.
Based on the DOH guidelines, Pfizer and Moderna will be given at least 4 months after the administration of the first booster dose for individuals belonging to Priority Group A1: Workers in Essential Health Services, and Priority Group A2: Senior Citizens.
It also stated that the administration of the second booster shot should be implemented simultaneously nationwide. Those who wish to avail of the second booster shot against the coronavirus disease were required to just present their vaccination card showing the date of the first booster dose, and any valid government issued ID.
As of May 16, the DOH said 68,665,070 or 76.29 percent of the target population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 while only 13,620,199 million have received their first booster shots.
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