Immunocompromised kids aged 12-17 now eligible for booster shots
A kid gets his first COVID-19 vaccination on the first day of the government drive for children aged 5 to 11 at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (Photo from the Facebook account of the Department of Health)
MANILA, Philippines — Immunocompromised adolescents aged 12 to 17 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots, the Department of Health said on Wednesday.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that individuals in this age group who have either one of the following may get their booster dose:
-those receiving cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
-those undergoing organ transplant
-those who received stem cell transplants within the last two years
-those with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency
-those with advanced or untreated HIV infection
-those with active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs
-those undergoing dialysis
-those living with autoimmune disease and treatment with specific immunosuppressive medications
-those diagnosed with conditions considered to be immunocompromised
“Mabuting balita rin lalo’t higit pa para sa ating kabataan at kanilang mga magulang dahil maaari na pong magpaturok ng booster shots ang ating adolescent population aged 12 to 17 years old,” Vergeire said in a media forum.
(Good news, especially for adolescents and their parents, the adolescent population aged 12 to 17 may get their booster shots.)
Qualified adolescents may be administered their booster shot 28 days after receiving their second dose.
The rest of the adolescent population will be eligible for their booster shot “maybe by next week or a couple of days after the immunocompromised.”
“Gusto lang po nating ayusin ang pagpapatupad at gusto nating maiuna muna ang immunocompromised children,” said Vergeire.
(We just want to ensure the smooth implementation and prioritize the immunocompromised children.)
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine will be used as a booster for the vaccination of the said age group.
Immunocompromised adolescents can get their anti-COVID shot in select hospitals. For the rest of the age group, they can be immunized in vaccination centers, once qualified.
As of June 20, nearly 9.5 million adolescents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier approved the recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council to give booster shots to the adolescent population aged 12 to 17.
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