Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 27)— Experts from the Food and Drug Administration are conducting a review on booster shots and third doses, FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said Wednesday.
“I’m giving the experts time to take a look dahil napakarami rin talaga ng studies. Several studies… [sa] iba ibang bansa, iba-iba iyong methodology tapos maliliit lang iyong mga sample size,” Domingo told CNN Philippines.
[Translation: I’m giving the experts time to take a look because there are several studies conducted in various countries with different methodologies and small sample sizes.]
The review stemmed from the Department of Health’s request to look at the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of COVID-19 vaccines being used in the country after DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III approved the recommendation of an independent panel to give COVID-19 booster shots and third doses to certain individuals.
Boosters are given to those whose COVID-19 immunity has waned over time after vaccination while a third dose is for those who did not generate a strong immune response following inoculation, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier explained.
READ: DOH approves guidelines for booster and additional COVID-19 vaccines, but no rollout yet
She said an amendment to the existing EUAs of COVID-19 vaccines is needed before they can administer additional doses.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr earlier said the government is eyeing to administer additional shots next month.
Infectious disease expert Rontgene Solante, for his part, underscored the importance of giving boosters, mainly to healthcare workers who had breakthrough infections.
“Malaking bagay ito (This is a huge thing) especially for healthcare workers,” he said in a government briefing.
CNN Philippines Correspondent Carolyn Bonquin contributed to this report.
