The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, April 18, said the implementation of the second COVID-19 booster shot administration is “currently put on hold” pending the final recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).
The HTAC has yet to issue its final review and recommendation, days after the DOH confirmed that it has received the emergency approval to administer an additional booster to senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals, and healthcare workers.
The DOH said the second booster can still be administered four months after the first booster dose. The vaccines with emergency use authorization for the second booster will be used, except Gamaleya’s Sputnik V.
The National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) will issue “more details” in the coming weeks.
Amid talks for second boosters, NVOC data show that only 12.6 million of the 50.1 million eligible individuals have received their first booster shot, leaving 37.6 million who have yet to get their additional protection. AG-gb
