THE Department of Health (DOH) has approved the provision of second COVID-19 booster shots for individuals aged 50 years and older, and those aged 18-49 years with comorbidities.
Before the coverage was expanded, the second booster was given only to healthcare workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals.
In a statement released late Tuesday, DOH officer-in charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the approval came after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to allow their use as second boosters.
It also follows positive recommendations from the Health Technology Assessment Council to the DOH.
Vergeire said the DOH, through the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), has issued the guidelines for the nationwide rollout of the fourth dose/second booster.
“Eligible individuals may soon check with the announcements of their nearest LGU (local government unit) or private sector vaccination site for the deployment schedules,” she added.
Under the guidelines, only the Tozinameran (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) mRNA vaccines will be used as second boosters.
The DOH also said there must be an interval of at least four months between the third dose/first booster and the fourth dose/second booster.
The DOH asked all eligible individuals to be ready with their vaccination card and ID, while a medical certificate is not required even for those with comorbidities.
And as part of preparations for the administration of the second boosters, the DOH said orientation programs for LGUs and vaccination centers nationwide have been scheduled.
As of July 26, DOH records show about 15.98 million individuals have been given the first booster shots, while some 1.23 million second booster shots have been given to those belonging to the sectors of healthcare workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised persons.
Last Tuesday, the DOH launched its “PinasLakas” campaign across the country in a bid to increase the booster shot coverage rate in the country.
