The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday announced that senior citizens and frontline healthcare workers can now receive their second shot of booster against COVID-19.
The decision comes following the recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) and after the Food and Drug Administration earlier granted emergency use authorization (EUA) on the administration of the second COVID-19 vaccine booster to senior citizens, and frontline healthcare workers aged 18 and above.
In a statement, DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the sectors can avail of mRNA vaccine brands such as Moderna and Pfizer in a bid to boost immunity against COVID-19, especially with the threat of the new Omicron subvariants.
"After careful study and consideration of the best available evidence, we shall now roll out effective immediately the second booster for our frontline health workers and senior citizens," Cabotaje said.
Based on the DOH guidelines, the additional shots shall be given at least four months after the administration of the first booster dose.
Just this week, the health department said it has detected three local transmission cases of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 in the Western Visayas region. With this, the Philippines has now 17 total cases of BA.2.12.1.
Senior citizens and frontline health workers can now get their second COVID-19 booster shot, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, DOH said the sectors can avail of mRNA vaccine brands such as Moderna and Pfizer in a bid to boost immunity against COVID-19, especially with the threat of the new Omicron subvariants.
“After careful study and consideration of the best available evidence, we shall now roll out effective immediately the second booster for our frontline health workers and senior citizens,” DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje was quoted as saying.
The additional shots shall be given at least four months after the administration of the first booster dose, according to DOH guidelines.
The Food and Drug Administration greenlighted the second boosters for priority sectors in April. The initial rollout, however, only covered people with weak immunities.
