Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 12) — The policy-making body of the World Health Organization has recommended that a third dose of Sinovac and Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to persons aged 60 and above and those whose immune systems are diminished.
The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO SAGE) said all evidence reviewed showed a need for a third dose of the same vaccine for those who have completed the two doses of inactivated vaccines produced by Chinese manufacturers Sinovac and Sinopharm.
SAGE chairperson Alejandro Cravioto, however, said a different brand can be considered as the third dose if there is enough supply.
“This should be started to be offered to people aged 60 and above since they are the ones that have shown the biggest problem in response,” he said in a briefing on Monday.
SAGE published highlights from its meeting conducted from Oct. 4 to 7, saying nations should initially aim to fully vaccinate senior citizens before administering the third dose by starting in the oldest age groups.
The Philippines’ biggest vaccine stock is Sinovac with a total of 41.5 million doses, while the country has only received 1.1 million doses of Sinopharm. A total of 4.49 million senior citizens have been fully vaccinated, but the government is not releasing the breakdown per brand.
Meanwhile, SAGE said an additional dose of all WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines should be offered to those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
WHO has granted emergency use listing to Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Oxford/AstraZeneca, Covishield (AstraZeneca vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India), Sinopharm, and Sinovac.
“We feel, as will be published, that there are a number of people who have a compromise in their immune system and therefore they need a third dose as an additional so that they are fully protected,” Cravioto said.
SAGE’s full and final report is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
WHO Immunization Director Kate O’Brien said there is a clear distinction between giving a third shot versus administering booster doses.
“Giving booster doses to individuals who already have had the benefit of a primary response has been explained before,” she said. “It’s like putting two life jackets on somebody and leaving other people without any life jacket.”
The WHO in September called for a moratorium on the widespread distribution of COVID-19 booster shots until the end of 2021.
Vaccine experts have recommended administering an additional shot to medical frontliners exposed to COVID-19 patients six to eight months after they completed their vaccination. The Department of Health has yet to issue its decision.
