Following the detection of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12, the Department of Health (DOH) called on Filipinos to get their booster shots against COVID-19.
"Omicron-BA.2.12 reminds us that the virus is still out there, and cases can go up the moment we let our guard down," the DOH said in a public health advisory.
"The DOH thus implores the public to get booster ASAP, as immunity is proven to wane over time," it added.
The department also called on the immunocompromised to get their fourth COVID-19 vaccine, or their second booster shot, to strengthen their defenses against the virus.
The reminder came after the DOH recently detected the country's first case of the Omicron-BA.2.12 sub-variant from a traveler from Finland who traveled to Quezon City and Baguio City.
The identified case has since recovered and returned to her home country, but the DOH said that it identified 44 close contacts so far that are associated with the case.
The department clarified that the Omicron subvariant BA.2.12 is not yet a variant of interest nor a variant of concern.
However, it noted that initial findings and data suggest that the subvariant "spreads faster."
"There is currently no evidence that it can cause more severe disease."
The detection of the Omicron subvariant came as the Philippines heads into its election day on May 9, amid warnings from experts of a potential surge in COVID-19 cases by mid-May.
