ONLY three hospitals began the rollout for the 2nd second booster shots of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines after other health facilities asked for a one-day delay.
In a radio interview, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III yesterday said that only the Valenzuela Medical Center in Valenzuela City, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City, and Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City started giving second booster shots to immunocompromised individuals.
Duque said several hospital directors asked for more time to prepare for the rollout, which was set to begin yesterday.
“They want to make sure that the process will be seamless. They are doing that now so that they can start tomorrow. Majority will start tomorrow (Tuesday),” said Duque.
The DOH approved last week the administration of second booster shots to immunocompromised individuals, with the rollout set Monday, April 25.
Under the guidelines, second booster shots may be given after at least three months from the first booster shot.
Homologous or same brand booster shots are available for those who got AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm, and Sinovac as primary vaccines.
On the other hand, available as heterologous (different brand) booster shots are AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna.
An estimated 690,000 immunocompromised individuals, who have been fully vaccinated and given their first booster shots, are expected to benefit from the rollout.
Identified as immunocompromised individuals are those in immunodeficiency state, with HIV, have active cancer or malignancy, are transplant recipients, undergoing steroid treatment, patients with poor prognosis/bed-ridden patients, and other conditions of immunodeficiency as certified by a physician.
As for senior citizens and healthcare workers, the health chief said they are still finalizing the analysis of the scientific data and studies for the sectors
He said they are hoping that it could be completed within the week.
“We want to do this by being prudent and careful. We want to maintain drafting policies that are data driven and evidence based,” said the official.
“We don’t want to give it due to popular demand,” Duque said.
