THE Department of Health (DOH) rolls out today the administration of the second booster against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for immunocompromised individuals.
Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the second booster will be given to eligible persons nationwide.
“Ikakasa natin ito sa buong bansa depende sa kahandaan ng ating mga bakuna centers na mag-implement ng second booster (We will implement this nationwide depending on the preparedness of our vaccine centers to implement the second booster),” Cabotaje said.She stressed the second booster will enhance the protection given by the primary series of vaccines and the first booster, the effectivity of which wanes over time.
Vaccine expert panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante echoed Cabotaje’s statement, saying that primary vaccines received last year may no longer be effective now.
In an interview with radio DzBB, Solante reiterated that the immunity protection provided by the primary series starts to wane or go down three to four months after being fully vaccinated, which is why the booster is needed to increase one’s antibodies and protection against getting infected with severe to critical COVID-19.
“Iyung primary vaccine series natin nung last year talagang walang bisa na iyon, kaya ini-emphasize natin ngayon, sana mag pa-booster na ang population kasi ang sa general population ang taas pa pa ng kailangan nating magpa-booster (The primary vaccine series from last year is no longer effective. That’s why we are emphasizing that the population should get their booster shots. A high number of the general population has yet to get their booster),” he said.
Solante also appealed to the public to continue following minimum health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing aside from being vaccinated and getting booster shots.
Cabotaje said the DOH is expecting 7,000 up to 13,000 immunocompromised individuals to get the second booster today.
The health department has said that immunocompromised individuals are those with primary immunodeficiencies, those who underwent organ transplant, those with HIV or AIDS, cancer and patients taking immunosuppressives such as steroids.
They can get the second booster three months after their first booster to enhance their protection against the deadly coronavirus.
Cabotaje said among the brands that will be used for the second booster are AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.
As of April 18, 12.97 million people have received their booster shots while 66.99 million are fully vaccinated and eligible for booster shots. More than 145 million doses of vaccines have been administered nationwide.
The government seeks to provide boosters to around 40 million of the general population and 10 million adolescents or 12 to 17-year-olds before the end of President Duterte’s term in June. The emergency use authority for the booster shots of the adolescents has yet to be released.
It also seeks to administer a second booster to at least 15 million people belonging to the vulnerable sector which include the immunocompromised, senior citizens and healthcare workers. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
