The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the emergency use authorization (EUA) of the second COVID-19 booster shot for senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals, and frontline healthcare workers, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.
"The DOH confirms receiving additional emergency use authorization from the FDA to administer an additional COVID-19 vaccine booster dose to all senior citizens 60 years old and above, the immunocompromised, and frontline healthcare workers," DOH said in a statement.
The DOH said the second booster dose will be given at least four months after the administration of the first booster, with the FDA recognizing waning immunity in the specific populations.
"For moderately and severely immunocompromised patients, the 2nd booster could be given earlier subject to the attending physician's assessment," the agency added.
It added that the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) is now drafting guidelines for the implementation of the second booster dose roll-out.
Aside from these groups, the DOH also earlier sought the FDA’s approval for booster shots for minors aged 12 to 17. It has yet to provide an update on the matter.
