DOH: 2nd anti-COVID booster shot only for healthcare workers, seniors, immunocompromised

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reminded the public that only frontline healthcare workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised adults are qualified to take the second booster shot or a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The DOH said in a statement it is coordinating with its Regional Vaccination Operation Centers (RVOCs) to strictly comply and focus efforts on administering the first booster shot (3rd dose) to improve coverage before giving second boosters.

It also stressed that vaccines remain the best “long-term defense” against the virus.

“In light of this, the DOH continues to encourage everyone eligible to get their primary doses and boosters done as vaccines are proven to be safe and effective against severe and critical symptoms caused by COVID-19,” it added.

This came amid a “mini-surge” of COVID-19 cases. Infections have been increasing in the past few weeks, although slightly, with experts attributing it to neglected health standards.

READ: DOH warns of possible COVID-19 surge by May due to neglected health standards

The DOH had also previously announced detecting local transmission of Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1. and the BA.5., which health experts believe are both highly transmissible and can even evade vaccine protection.

Omicron is among the many variants of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes serious respiratory illness COVID-19. Continuous mutation of the latest coronavirus strain led to a number of variants as well as subvariants of the original pathogen.

To date, the government said the Philippines has 69,759,711 fully-vaccinated individuals, representing 77.51 percent of the target population while people with booster shots have only reached 14,526,648, as of June 12.

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