PH Prepares for Second Booster Shots

The country is preparing for second booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik Light, and Janssen Covid-19 vaccines as second booster shots.

The Department of Health (DOH) plans to roll out second booster shots for over 1.5 million healthcare workers, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients.

After the announcement of DOH, Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said that government aims to reinforce the country’s protection against COVID-19.

Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said that 100 million doses of COVID-19 in the stockpile are enough for the country’s vaccination efforts this year. This includes 24 million doses for the second booster shot and 60 million doses for the first booster shot.

Also included in the 100 million doses are 10 million doses for pediatric age groups and 1.8 million doses for seniors.

National Vaccination Operations Center Chair Myrna Cabotaje said that the guidelines for the second booster shots are now ready. However, they are still waiting for the Health and Technology Assessment Council’s (HTAC) final recommendations. (ASC)