The country is currently administering the fourth dose or second booster shot against COVID-19 only to immunocompromised individuals.
“Currently, ang status natin is we are reviewing the evidence. We are waiting also for the WHO guidance because we want to be very consistent with what they have, particularly for seniors and healthcare workers,” said Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, a member of the Department of Health-Technical Advisory Group, during a press briefing.
“We are hoping that once the WHO recommendations come out, it can inform the HTAC and then we can have the local guidelines revised as soon as possible,” she added.
Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion earlier urged the Health Technology Assessment Council — the advisory body of the Department of Health — to adopt the guidelines of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the rollout of the second booster shot.
Concepcion said that by adopting the US CDC guidelines, the Philippines can prevent the expiration of more vaccine doses and the surge in COVID-19 cases.
Under the CDC’s criteria, the second booster shot can be administered to those who are 50 years or older, or those 12 years or older and moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Meanwhile, DOH spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said the current guidelines for the second booster shot are supported by evidence and by experts. She added that the government will soon administer another booster shot to healthcare workers and senior citizens.
“Ang atin pong nirerekomenda ngayon at meron talaga at suportado ng ebidensiya, would be the provision of the fourth doses to the immunocompromised. Later on, we will also be implementing for our senior citizens and healthcare workers,” said Vergeire.
[Translation: What we are recommending now, which is supported by evidence, would be the provision of fourth doses to those who are immunocompromised. Later on, we will also be implementing for our senior citizens and healthcare workers.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 17) — The Department of Health is still waiting for the World Health Organization’s guidance regarding the second booster dose for other eligible groups.
