By Filane Mikee Cervantes / Philippine News Agency
Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Tuesday (Oct. 19) the government is planning to begin administering a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare workers and the country’s vulnerable sector by November or early December.
“Ito po pineprepare na namin ni [Health Sec. Francisco] Duque, dahil nagbigay na po ng inclination ang WHO [World Health Organization] na ‘yung ating vaccination for third dosing, considering na maglalapse na po ‘yung immunity,” Galvez reported to President Rodrigo Duterte during the recorded Talk to the People public briefing.
“Maybe we can start by November or early December,” he added.
The Department of Health (DOH) is awaiting the WHO’s official recommendation to give additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised persons, senior citizens, and healthcare workers.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the WHO is expected to release its final recommendation by November.
Vergeire clarified that booster shots and additional doses are different and the WHO has yet to recommend a third shot for the general population.
According to experts, a booster shot is an additional dose after the protection of the original shot(s) has decreased over time, while a third shot is for those with certain health conditions to help further protect them from a case of severe COVID-19 or death.
Following a four-day meeting, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization on Oct. 11 said those with weakened immunity should receive an additional shot, because they are “less likely to respond adequately to vaccination following a standard primary vaccine series and are at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease.” (PNA) – jlo
