DOH to roll out second COVID-19 booster shots on April 25, but only for the immunocompromised
The government is preparing to administer a second COVID-19 booster shot on April 25, but a Department of Health (DOH) official said it's only for immunocompromised individuals.
"Sa ngayon, ito muna ang aking inaprubahan batay sa rekomendasyon ng Health Technology Assessment Council," DOH Sec. Francisco Duque said in a Laging Handa public briefing on April 22, adding that the roll-out's implementing guidelines are already being finalized.
Duque did not give details about the second booster shot roll-out earlier, only saying that it will start "next week." DOH Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire made a separate announcement in the afternoon that it will start on April 25.
Duque cited as possible candidates for the second booster dose those who received organ transplants, those who take maintenance medicines, cancer patients, HIV/AIDS patients, and those who undergo chronic dialysis, among others.
He clarified that senior citizens and healthcare workers won't be included just yet.
"Pag-aaralan, susuriin pa ng HTAC," he said, "iyong mga datos galing sa World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Food and Drugs Administration, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation."
The DOH has also released an infographic of its recommended booster dose combinations and intervals for individuals aged 18 and up.
It also noted that the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may already be used as a booster dose after the local Food and Drugs Administration approved its emergency use authorization.
To date, over 67.1 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Some 12.7 million individuals have also received their boosters.
The WHO said booster doses serve as an additional line of defense especially for the immunocompromised and the elderly, as their immune response to COVID-19 may wane over time.
(Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include DOH Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire's announcement)