Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease expert, said on Monday that the second booster shot is only suggested for the elderly and immunocompromised for the time being and not for the general population for now.
“For the more vulnerable population, the 60 years old and above, and immunocompromised, ito ‘yung ina-ano natin ngayon na sana mabigyan ng pangalawang booster para talaga ang protection dito is against the severe form of COVID,” he said in a radio interview.
(We are pushing for a second booster shot for the more vulnerable population like the 60 years old and above and the immunocompromised, so they could get protected against the severe form of COVID-19.)
After that, Solante noted that those who have completed their initial immunization series should have one booster dose three to six months later, as recommended by health professionals.
“For the younger population, ‘yung tinatawag nating immunocompetent, I don’t think we need additional booster. With the ability of this vaccine to protect us against severe infection, alam naman talaga natin na pwede rin tayong mahawahan pero ang importante nito, hindi tayo mag-severe [we know that we can still be infected but the important thing is that it’s not severe],” Solante said.
“So I think the first booster for the younger population may be enough. Wala pa tayong (we don’t have yet) recommendation for a second booster,” he added.
Expert recommends 2nd booster shot for seniors, with comorbidities
On Saturday, Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, Health Undersecretary and Chairperson of the National Vaccination Operations Center said that vaccinations at local government units across the country have slowed in the last week, with some people losing their feeling of urgency when it comes to booster doses.
Senior citizens who have not yet finished their primary dosage series and those scheduled for booster doses will be given preference in the fourth wave of the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” nationwide vaccination drive.
“Napaka-importante especially with the vulnerable population na sana pupunta kayo sa vaccination centers. ‘Yung hindi pa nagpa-booster, magpa-booster na kayo. ‘Yung hindi pa nagpabakuna, ito na ‘yung panahon na talagang kailangan na tayong magpabakuna,” Solante added.
(It is essential, especially for the vulnerable population, to go to vaccination centers. Those who have not received their booster shots yet, get it now. Those who have not been vaccinated, this is the time when we really need to be vaccinated.)
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