The government decided to roll out the extra doses pending the final recommendation report of the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization.
Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje — head of the National Vaccine Operations Center — told CNN Philippines that this is to “boost the health and the morale” of healthcare workers.
“Merong EUA na [There’s already EUA] for boosters, in addition to the HTAC recommendation, and the WHO SAGE meeting will take place in December pa,” Cabotaje said in a text message.
The decision was also in consideration of early vaccine recipients, especially those who got their first shot in March, she added. The Health Technology Assessment Council has recommended that the boosters be given six months after medical frontliners are fully inoculated.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16) — The country’s Food and Drug Administration has approved the amended emergency use authorization granted to four COVID-19 vaccine brands to be used as booster shots and additional dose.
FDA Director General Eric Domingo said Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac could be used as homologous vaccines — or using the same type of vaccine for the third shot.
“Ibig sabihin, kapag naka-dalawang Pfizer, after 6 months, maaaring magbigay ng isa pa,” Domingo said in a taped address that aired on Tuesday.
Single-dose Sputnik Light can be given as the booster or additional shot regardless of the brand of the first two shots, he pointed out.
The FDA chief said the Department of Health has also been allowed to mix and match vaccine brands, but he did not elaborate.
The DOH allowed the rollout of booster shots for healthcare workers beginning Wednesday.
It recommended using either Moderna, Pfizer, or Sinovac as the booster regardless of the brand used for the primary series.
It added that Sinovac will also be used as booster for those who initially got the same brand.
Meanwhile, Domingo said the rollout of additional shots for senior citizens can begin once an area has vaccinated 70% of the vulnerable sector, such as in Metro Manila.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said this is being eyed to start next week.
The Health department, however, has not yet approved the rollout of additional shots for the elderly and people with comorbidities.
Booster shots are given to those whose immunity is going down over time after completing their shots.
An additional dose is for individuals who never reached the ideal immune response level. They are usually the immunocompromised and the elderly.
