Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo / Consuelo Marquez
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) released on Tuesday the guidelines for the nationwide rollout of the second COVID-19 booster doses for adults aged 50 and above and those aged 18 to 49 with comorbidities.
The release of the guidelines was on the same day that the DOH launched the “PinasLakas” program, which aims to administer booster jabs to at least 23 million people — which is 50 percent of the eligible population — within the first 100 days of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.
According to the DOH, only the Tozinameran (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) mRNA vaccines will be used for the vaccination of adults mentioned.
The DOH said there must also be an interval of at least four months from the first booster.
“Eligible individuals may soon check with the announcements of their nearest LGU or private sector vaccination site for the deployment schedules, and are asked to be ready with their vaccination card and valid ID,” the DOH said.
“A medical certificate is NOT required, even for those with comorbidities. The medical screener or doctor at the vaccination site is authorized to assess and make the determination,” it added.
Through the “PinasLakas” program, the DOH said it would tap populated places such as offices, terminals, malls, and even schools as vaccination sites.
“As vaccine immunity wanes over time, we are dedicated to helping our people remain protected against COVID-19. We are making it easier for as many of our people to avail of the primary series and boosters — including second boosters,t” the DOH officer-in-charge, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, said.
“The DOH, along with other government agencies and private sector partners, aims to increase vaccine coverage nationwide,” the statement added.
As of July 27, the total COVID-19 caseload nationwide was 3,755,403, with 27,643 active cases, 3,667,084 recoveries, and 60,694 deaths, based on the DOH COVID-19 Tracker on its website.
Based on data released by the DOH on Monday, fully-vaccinated individuals were at 71,546,355, or 91.61 percent of the target population, while individuals with booster shots totaled 15,934,251.
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