The Department of Health (DOH) has been preparing for the possible provision of a third COVID-19 vaccine dose for health workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals.
The DOH said the emergency use authorization (EUA) granted by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has to be amended first.
“These third doses mangyayari lang ‘yan kapag nakapaglabas ang Food and Drug Administration ng emergency use authorization,” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said in the Oct. 18 DOH virtual forum.
“Kung matatandaan po natin, ang EUA natin para sa mga bakunang mayroon tayo ngayon ay para lang sa primary series natin. Ibig sabihin, dalawang doses for most of the vaccines,” she added.
The official said the third dose, as part of the primary series of vaccination, is different from a booster shot administered due to waning efficacy of some vaccines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to release its full recommendation on booster shots this November.
“Ang sinasabi ng ebidensya at mga eksperto, ang mga immunocompromised individuals for example cannot mount that appropriate immune response to just these two doses,” she said.
“Kaya kailangan pa ng isang dose para makumpleto at para mas maproteksyunan sila at maboost ang kanilang immune system,” she added.
Meanwhile, the DOH said in the same briefing that more than 12,000 vaccines were wasted due to issues on temperature, transportation, and labeling.
Read more: DOH: Over 12-K COVID-19 vaccines wasted
More than 91 million vaccine doses have been delivered to the Philippines, including the 52 million doses that have already been administered since the rollout in March.
The country recently began vaccinating minors aged 15 to17 years-old with comorbidities.
Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in the Laging Handa briefing that the second phase of minors’ vaccination will begin on Friday (Oct. 22).
“Papunta tayo sa mga LGU [local government units] – based hospital, at magdadagdag po ng 13 additional local hospitals sa mga hospital na nagsimula na sa national,” he said.
The government is aiming to inoculate more than 144,000 children with comorbidities by the end of October. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
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