All those ages 18 and older who are not in the first 3 priority groups will be able to get the COVID-19 booster shot starting Friday, the Department of Health said Thursday.
Before this, only health workers, senior citizens, and people with comorbidity were allowed to receive booster shots.
According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, booster users are also allowed to choose whether the brand of the booster is the same or different from the one previously injected into them.
“But kung ano ‘yung mayroon, ‘wag na mag-aantay. Kasi hindi naman ad infinitum ‘yung supply of a particular vaccine. So dapat kung ano ‘yung andoon, magpaturok na,” said Duque.
A booster can also be received only if it is more than six months since the completion of the primary 2-dose series of COVID-19 vaccine or more than three months after injection of the single-dose Janssen vaccine.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. confirmed that the Philippines has an adequate supply of vaccines, and millions more are coming this December.
“Our supply is good until July,” said Galvez.
Based on initial records, more than 7.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were injected during the national vaccination days from Monday to Wednesday.
COVID-19 booster shots available for ages 18 and up: DOH
According to Galvez, the total number will rise to 8 million once the reports from the local government units (LGUs) are completed, but it is still short of the target of 9 million.
“Our main objective is not really to get the 9 million. Ang pinaka-main objective natin is to enhance the capacity of LGUs and to get that feeling of momentum,” he said.
The National Vaccination Operations Center granted the request of many LGUs to extend the national vaccine drive for 2 days until Friday.
The government is preparing for the second round of the national COVID-19 vaccination drive on December 15 to 17.
Hospitals are now increasing their capacity for non-COVID patients in tandem with the decline in those affected by COVID-19.
Based on other countries’ experience, the Philippines’ improving situation may change if Omicron spreads, which is said to be more contagious.
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