The Philippine government has yet to give the green light for the administration of 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) vaccine booster shots.
Sec. Carlito Galvez, chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, made the reminder on Sunday, August 15, after the local government unit of Quezon City filed charges against two individuals who received three doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
"This is still forbidden yung booster shots," Galvez said during a press conference following the arrival of 469,200 COVID-19 vaccine doses, made by American pharmaceutical company Moderna, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.
"Nakita natin na more than 10 percent pa lang ang ating fully vaccinated, and there are more Filipinos, more than 90 million Filipinos, are still working to be vaccinated," Galvez stressed.
Galvez, who also serves as the vaccine czar of the Philippines, urged the public to exercise patience and mentioned that experts recommend that people receive a booster shot against COVID-19 after nine to 12 months for full efficacy.
"Ang sinasabi nga ng mga expert, yung booster shot, walang gaanong epekto iyan kung ang ating spacing ay napakababa," Galvez said.
"Kaya nga ang sinasabi ng experts natin is mas maganda yung boosters natin is doon na sa first month of the year 2022, sa first quarter," he added.
Galvez earlier vowed that the national government will go after 'vaccine hoppers' or individuals who sign-up for the vaccination programs of two different local government units in order to receive more than two shots.
