A top Health official stated Sunday that the government is prepared to give out the second anti-COVID booster vaccine for specified populations in the National Capital Region (NCR) by April 20.
Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, Health Undersecretary and Chairperson of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), told Super Radyo dzBB that the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) is expected to release guidelines for the second booster shot for senior citizens, immunocompromised, and frontline health workers this week.
“We want to start this on April 20 sana sa NCR muna, but we will have to wait for the HTAC. Kung lumabas ng Monday, ayusin lang natin ‘yung guidelines sa ngayon kung ano ‘yung aaprubahan ng ating Secretary kung ano ‘yung final recommendation,” Cabotaje said.
On Wednesday, the Department of Health said that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had given emergency use permission (EUA) for second booster shots for selected categories.
According to the Health Department, the second booster dose will be administered at least four months after the first booster because the FDA recognizes declining immunity in specific populations.
Cabotaje stated that the additional booster is being coordinated with many stakeholders and medical specialists, notably the immunocompromised.
Second anti-COVID booster shots to launch on April 20 in NCR
“We will confer, coordinate sa ating mga ontologists, sa mga may cancer, especially sa ating infectious disease specialists para din ma-enrich ‘yung ating guidelines and so that other will be confident that our guidelines ay akma sa irere-commend ng mga experts,” she added.
Dr. Ted Herbosa, medical adviser for the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, told dzBB that the implementing rules and regulations for the second booster could be announced this week.
“‘Yung hindi makakakuha, may proteksyon pa rin kayo. ‘Wag kayo mag-alala, may proteksyon pa rin kayo dulot nung first booster,” he said.
The national Social Weather Survey of December 12–16, 2021, found four out of five (80%) vaccinated adult Filipinos saying they are willing (73% surely, 7% probably) to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
On the other hand, the survey found 7% saying they are unwilling (3% probably not, 3% surely not, correctly rounded) to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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